Abstract: A local trigger signal generator is provided for each of a plurality of test instruments in a test system. The disclosed test system includes a master clock generator that defines a start time t.sub.0 and generates a periodic master clock signal characterized by a master clock oscillation frequency f.sub.mc and a corresponding period T.sub.mc. The master clock generator generates a clock network signal that is representative of the master clock signal and the start time t.sub.0. The system further includes a set of n test instruments TIN1, TIN2, . . . TINn. An ith one of the test instruments TINi includes a local clock receiver for receiving the clock network signal and defining therefrom a local start time t.sub.0 i and for generating therefrom a local timestamp signal LTSSi, where the local timestamp signal LTSSi is representative of a number of time intervals having a length substantially equal to the period T.sub.mc occurring after the local start time t.sub.0 i.