A method for adjusting a signal includes applying a compensation for distortion to a data signal to generate an output signal. The method also includes sampling the output signal to generate data values and an error value, each data value comprising either a high value or a low value based on the sampling of the output signal, the error value indicating residue of the distortion based on the sampling of the output signal. The method further includes selecting one or more filter patterns and monitoring the output signal for patterns of data values corresponding to the selected filter patterns. The method further includes detecting a pattern of data values in the output signal corresponding to one of the selected filter patterns and adjusting the compensation applied to the data signal based on the error value.