PCM Telecommunications system for voice and data

A stored program telecommunications system of the hybrid PBX/ey system type. The system uses two level distributed processor architecture for control and switching and pulse code modulation (PCM) for speech transmission. The system controller directs operation of the second level or group controllers, there being one group controller for each group of ports. Ports may be station instruments of either the single line or multiple line type, trunk lines or data terminals. Data from the data terminals is generally slower than the repetition rate of PCM data, therefore system time slots capable of PCM transmission may be allotted to handle more than one data terminal through sub-multiplexing of time slots. The sub-multiplexing of PCM time slots is controlled by the system controller acting through the controller for the group initiating the call with a data interface circuit providing access between a data terminal and a group level speech bus. One data interface circuit may control up to four data terminals.