Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed signal path arbitration and transfer of a plurality of source signals to a destination signal path, is provided. An arbiter system includes an arbiter and a multiplexer. The multiplexer includes a plurality of n inputs each coupled to receive a source signal from one of a plurality of source signal paths and an output coupled to provide an output signal to the destination signal path. The multiplexer is controlled by a plurality of n select signal values received from the arbiter. The arbiter is coupled to receive a plurality of request signal values which prompt the arbiter to control the multiplexer to pass one of the source signals to the destination signal path. The multiplexer includes a plurality of n multiplexer signal paths each extending from one of n multiplexer inputs to the multiplexer output. Time characteristics of each of the n multiplexer signal paths are unequal.