An apparatus for determining an eye mask of a device under test (DUT) which is configured to receive a data bit stream signal including a threshold level value and output a data bit stream output signal. The apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive the data bit stream output signal provided by the DUT, an evaluation unit configured to evaluate the received data bit output signal and provide an evaluation result, and a controller configured to change the threshold level value in response to the evaluation result. The apparatus is integrated into the DUT and can operates autonomously without multiple interactions with a tester.