A system and method includes an arbitrating data bus and a plurality of sensing nodes connected to communicate on the arbitrating data bus. The plurality of sensing nodes are configured to digitize and monitor a first amount of data during a listening mode of an event monitoring mode and detect an event based upon the first amount of data. The plurality of sensing nodes are further configured to output an event message to the arbitrating data bus upon detection of the event. The plurality of sensing nodes are further configured to digitize and retain a second amount of data following detection of the event message on the arbitrating data bus.