Distributed clocks in slotted networks

A simple technique is described for operating slotted loop or mesh networks with independent, and slightly different clocks at every node. The technique eliminates the need to designate one node as the master clock in these networks. The technique can also be used to transfer synchronous samples from a voice source. If the slots correspond to time-division multiplexed (TDM) frames of voice samples, the TDM frames from all of the input lines arrive at a switching point in the node simultaneously, and the samples can be interchanged by standard telephone switching techniques