AbstractControl of all bursts in the TDMA system is achieved by the use of complementary controlled and controlling procedures. Controlled procedures operate in traffic terminals and reference terminals alike, whereas controlling procedures operate only in reference terminals. Controlling procedures are the subject of this paper. These procedures govern the acquisition, synchronization and monitoring of all bursts, including reference bursts, in the TDMA system.To perform the acquisition and synchronization control function, each reference burst contains a control and delay channel (CDC) in which control information is transmitted to controlled terminals on a constant repetitive basis. The structure and timing of this control cycle will be discussed, assuming that the basic control frame and multiframe structure is familiar.Acquisition and synchronization control is performed only on the principal burst transmitted by each terminal; all other bursts are monitored by the reference terminals and controlled by the SDNTX (selective do not transmit) message which is transmitted in the reference burst service channel on an as‐needed basis. The procedure which governs the generation of these messages will also be discusse