Abstract: A timing control arrangement that dynamically controls the distribution of timing information in a distributed digital communication system having standard nodes and prioritized master nodes. Reference timing signals to control the system are distributed from the highest priority master node currently operational. Should a higher priority master node than the current master node become operational, the higher priority master node automatically takes control of the timing for the system. Each node is connected by links to at least one other node, and each node receives timing signals and a timing priority number (TPN) from all of the connected node. The TPN defines the number of links over which the timing signals travel to the receiving node from the current master node. Each standard node selects timing signals and TPN from the link having the lowest TPN and transmits the selected TPN (after incrementing the selected TPN by one) and timing signals on all connected outgoing links.