A method includes receiving an n-level Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM-n) signal at a receiver from a transmitter via a channel. The method also includes determining one or more sampling times of the PAM-n signal. The method further includes determining one or more slicing levels of the PAM-n signal. The method also includes extracting and decomposing jitter in the PAM-n signal for each slicing level of the PAM-n signal to determine one or more jitter components. The method further includes extracting and decomposing noise in the PAM-n signal for each data level of the PAM-n signal to determine one or more noise components. The method also includes adjusting the receiver, the transmitter, the channel, or any combination thereof, based on the one or more jitter components, the one or more noise components, or both.