Abstract: A method of collecting PM data in a controller acquired from a plurality of sources of PM data during a monitoring interval, including the steps of demarcating, at each source of PM data, the monitoring interval, assigning, at each source of PM data, an identity to the monitoring interval, packaging at each source of PM data, the PM data from the monitoring interval, transmitting an armed and ready message from each source of PM data to the controller, waiting, at each source of PM data, for a request from the controller for a bulk transfer of the PM data, sending the bulk transfer from each source of PM data, responsive to receipt of the request, to the controller, and resetting, at each source of PM data, a system timer for a next monitoring interval.