Adaptive analog equalization and receiver front-end control for multilevel partial-response transmission over metallic cables

This paper deals with multilevel partial-response class-IV (PRIV) transmission over unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables. Specifically, transmission at a rate of 155.52 Mb/s over data-grade UTP cables for local-area networking is considered. As a low-complexity method used to compensate for cable-length dependent signal distortion, adaptive analog equalization with two controlled parameters is proposed: one parameter determines a frequency-independent receiver gain, the other parameter controls the transfer characteristic of a variable analog receive-filter section. For the stepwise design of the transmit and receive filters, a combination of analytic techniques and simulated annealing is employed. First, the variable equalizer section, then the remaining fixed analog receive filter section are developed and finally the analog transmit filter is determined. The paper also describes the adjustment of the equalizer section, and the control of the sampling phase in the receiver front-end. The two equalizer parameters are controlled by an algorithm that operates on the sampled signals and adjusts these parameters to optimum settings independently of the sampling phase. The latter is controlled by a decision-directed phase-locked loop algorithm that becomes effective when equalization has been achieved. The dynamic behaviour and mean-square error in steady-state obtained with these control algorithms are investigated.