Timing metrics for constrained codes

The effect of data constraints on synchronization is quantified by the use of three simple timing metrics that respectively measure the ensemble average, the worst, and the best timing qualities attainable with a given binary pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) waveform. These timing metrics are computed with the help of a graph which represents the constrained PAM system. The timing metrics of the (0,k) constraint are studied in detail for selected PAM pulses