Measuring Channel Operating Margin

Channel Operating Margin (COM) is a single measure of channel performance with high data rates that includes the effects of signal impairments and the techniques used to compensate for those impairments. COM measures the performance margin of an interconnect, and can also be used to examine the interoperability margin of a high speed serial system. The derivation of COM itself can offer insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a design due to the inclusion of the ISI (inter-symbol interference) calculation that remains after equalization and the effects of noise, jitter, and crosstalk. Download the white paper to learn more about measuring Channel Operating Margin.