The invention relates to a communication system and a method for controlling a communication system for communicating audio data between each of a plurality of terminal units (T1-T3). In order to provide a deterministic communication protocol with lowest possible overhead and a system for implementing same said method is characterized by the steps of: examining an identity of said terminal units (T1-T3) by said central unit (10) during an initialization phase; transmitting a predetermined data frame including a first synchronization signal, a terminal unit address of a respective terminal unit, a payload field and a second synchronization signal by said central unit (10) via said master bus (14) during a configuration phase; and transmitting audio data through said data bus (12) by one of said plurality of terminal units (T1-T3) within an audio sample time interval that corresponds to the interval between said first synchronization signal and said second synchronization signal.