Each node in a communication system transmits and receives state variable signals indicating internal node states or timings. A single node may transmit two or more differently phased series of state variable signals. Neighboring nodes interact by adjusting the timing phase at which they transmit each series of state variable signals according to the timing of state variable signals transmitted in other series, and state variable signals received from other nodes. The nodes can thereby establish time slots in which they can transmit data without collisions, and different nodes can receive different total amounts of time slot width by transmitting different numbers of series of state variable signals.