One or more embodiments are disclosed that involve computer implementable techniques for generating simulate-able waveforms without the need for repeatedly including and simulating a full channel model or testing the waveforms on a physical channel. Techniques according to such embodiments the invention comprise simulating the sending of a waveform across a channel and recording deviations from a simulated received waveform, which comprise differences between the ideal waveform as sent and the simulated received waveform. These deviations are then used to create simulate-able waveforms, which include the effects of noise and jitter, without the need for additional channel simulation. As an alternative to using channel simulation, deviations may also be collected from sending a waveform across a physical channel. Thus, a received signal sent across the physical channel may be sampled at sample points to record deviations, which are then used to create simulate-able waveforms without sending additional signals across the physical channel. Other embodiments include deriving and recording signal deviations from a simulated or measured system pulse response, and tabulating the deviations in the system pulse response when it occurs within a set of pre-determined bit patterns.