A PAM-4 DFE receives an input signal distorted by inter-symbol interference (IS I) and expressing a series of symbols each representing one of four pulse amplitudes to convey two binary bits of data per symbol. High-order circuitry resolves the most-significant bit (MSB) of each two-bit symbol, whereas low-order circuitry 115 resolves the immediate least-significant bit (LSB). An immediate value of the MSB is used to select a set of IS I offsets used to resolve the LSB. Resolved values of the prior values of the MSB and LSB are then used to select the IS I offset for the immediate symbol.

A signaling system is described. The signaling system comprises a transmit device, a receive device including a partial response receive circuit, and a signaling path coupling the transmit device and the receive device. The receive device observes an equalized signal from the signaling path, and includes circuitry to use feedback from the most recent previously resolved symbol to sample a currently incoming symbol. The transmit device equalizes transmit data to transmit the equalized signal, by applying weighting based on one or more data values not associated with the most recent previously resolved symbol value.

A decision-feedback equalizer (DFE) samples an input signal with respect to a gamut of p reference-voltage levels to place the symbol represented by the input signal within a voltage region. The DFE derives a set of tentative decisions for the voltage region, the set excluding at least one of the possible values for the symbol under consideration. A feedback stage then selects a final decision from among the tentative decisions.

Each of a first filter to a fourth filter is an FIR filter having one tap. Each of a fifth filter and a sixth filter is an FIR filter having less than 46 taps. As a result, it is possible to obtain an adaptive equalization filter having a smaller total number of taps than an adaptive equalization filter using an FIR filter having 24 taps as each of the first to fourth filters.

A two-stage decision feedback equalizer. The decision feedback equalizer is configured to receive serial data, at an analog input, at a first data rate. The two-stage decision feedback equalizer has an analog input and four digital outputs, and includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is connected to the analog input, and includes a half-rate predictive decision feedback equalizer consisting of current mode logic circuits. The second stage is connected to the first stage, and consists of complementary metal oxide semiconductor circuits.

A two-stage decision feedback equalizer. The decision feedback equalizer is configured to receive serial data, at an analog input, at a first data rate. The two-stage decision feedback equalizer has an analog input and four digital outputs, and includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is connected to the analog input, and includes a half-rate predictive decision feedback equalizer consisting of current mode logic circuits. The second stage is connected to the first stage, and consists of complementary metal oxide semiconductor circuits.

A signaling system is described. The signaling system comprises a transmit device, a receive device including a partial response receive circuit, and a signaling path coupling the transmit device and the receive device. The receive device observes an equalized signal from the signaling path, and includes circuitry to use feedback from the most recent previously resolved symbol to sample a currently incoming symbol. The transmit device equalizes transmit data to transmit the equalized signal, by applying weighting based on one or more data values not associated with the most recent previously resolved symbol value.

A signaling system includes a pre-emphasizing transmitter and an equalizing receiver coupled to one another via a high-speed signal path. The receiver measures the quality of data conveyed from the transmitter. A controller uses this information and other information to adaptively establish appropriate transmit pre-emphasis and receive equalization settings, e.g. to select the lowest power setting for which the signaling system provides some minimum communication bandwidth without exceeding a desired bit-error rate.

A signaling system includes a pre-emphasizing transmitter and an equalizing receiver coupled to one another via a high-speed signal path. The receiver measures the quality of data conveyed from the transmitter. A controller uses this information and other information to adaptively establish appropriate transmit pre-emphasis and receive equalization settings, e.g. to select the lowest power setting for which the signaling system provides some minimum communication bandwidth without exceeding a desired bit-error rate.

Various embodiments provide for correcting pre-cursor intersymbol interference (ISI) and post-cursor ISI in a data signal received over a channel. More particularly, some embodiments correct pre-cursor ISI and post-cursor ISI using decision feedback equalization (DFE).