There are four main components of the PhysioTel™ Digital telemetry platform; the data acquisition computer, the Communication Link Controller (CLC), the transceivers (TRX), and the implants.  The CLC and the implants actively communicate with one another, with the TRX being the transmitting and receiving link between them.

The design of the PhysioTel Digital platform is such that the TRX plugged into CLC Transceiver Connection 1 is the primary transceiver and the one that should most often in communication with the implants. Other TRXs connected to the CLC work as backup to the primary TRX.

During communication, the implants listen for a signal from the TRX. The CLC sends out a signal one TRX at a time to all of its associated implants, starting with the TRX connected to CLC Transceiver Connection 1. If the implant hears the signal from TRX1, it immediately stops listening and waits for its designated time to send data to the CLC. If it doesn’t hear TRX1, it will remain in listening mode in an effort to hear the signal from TRX2. If it hears TRX2, it immediately stops listening and waits for its designated time to send data to the CLC. If it doesn’t hear TRX2, it will remain in listening mode in an effort to hear the signal from TRX3. This will repeat for all TRXs connect to the CLC.