A test and measurement instrument includes an input for receiving an input test signal and a separator that separates a data array of the input test signal into a number of different data bins. Each data bin includes a number of data points. A selector is included that determines whether the data points within a present bin of the total bins represent signal or noise. When the present bin contains noise, a processor generates a first output for the present bin. Instead, when the present bin contains signal, the processor generates a second output for the present bin. The bin outputs can then be combined to make an output array, such as a waveform display, for the instrument.