Today´s topic of INDUSTRONIC functions is the “Parallel Group”, where one subscriber establishes a voice connection to a pre-defined group of several members. Within the group you can then flexibly decide at which intercom station you want to answer the call.

Communication with a Group of Several Members

Communication with a parallel group constantly changes between a point-to-multipoint and a point-to-point connection. Each time one subscriber establishes a voice connection to a parallel group, all members of the group can hear the message simultaneously (point-to-multipoint). As soon as one member of the group answers, only the calling subscriber can hear this message (point-to-point). All other members of the parallel group cannot listen during this time and are indicated as busy, which means that they cannot establish or receive other calls.

Communication Procedure

The following illustration shows the communication procedure in general.

Application Example

A typical application example for a parallel group is that you can install two intercom stations at two different places in a plant which are favorable for the operator, e.g. at the beginning and at the end of a long rolling mill train. Depending on the place of installation, the operator can flexibly decide at which intercom station he wants to answer a call.

Download a more detailed version of the Parallel Group here.

See also my previous article about two-way communication.