Mitigating ISI Through Self-Calibrating Continuous-Time Equalization

A method for designing self-calibrating continuous-time equalizers is proposed. Two distinct error terms, generated from the channel pulse response, may be used to adaptively calibrate the equalizer, resulting in a significant reduction of intersymbol interference (ISI). Both error terms are based on the minimization of accumulating ISI versus total ISI. By limiting the change in ISI from bit to bit, reasonable voltage and timing margins are achieved. Matlab simulations show the clear opening of 10-Gb/s data eyes across 6 in and 20 in of FR4, as well as the clear opening of a 20-Gb/s data eye across 6 in of the same medium