Method and system for slicing a communication signal
First Claim
1. A method for processing a multilevel communication signal comprising the steps of:
- generating a first signal in response to comparing the multilevel communication signal to a first threshold;
generating a second signal in response to comparing the multilevel communication signal to a second threshold; and
setting an output signal to a selected level of a multilevel communication scheme in response to adding the first signal and the second signal.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A slicer can receive a communication signal having a level or amplitude that is between two discrete levels of a multilevel digital communication scheme. The slicer can compare the communication signal to a plurality of references such that multiple comparisons proceed essentially in parallel. A summation node can add the results of the comparisons to provide an output signal set to one of the discrete levels. The slicer can process the communication signal and provide the output signal on a symbol-by-symbol basis. A decision feedback equalizer (“DFE”) can comprise the slicer. A feedback circuit of the DFE can delay and scale the output signal and apply the delayed and scaled signal to the communication signal to reduce intersymbol interference (“ISI”).
122 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for processing a multilevel communication signal comprising the steps of:
-
generating a first signal in response to comparing the multilevel communication signal to a first threshold;
generating a second signal in response to comparing the multilevel communication signal to a second threshold; and
setting an output signal to a selected level of a multilevel communication scheme in response to adding the first signal and the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system, for reducing intersymbol interference on a communication signal, comprising:
-
a plurality of comparators, each comparing the communication signal to a respective reference and outputting a result;
a summation node, coupled to the plurality of the comparators, that provides an output signal comprising each of the results; and
a circuit that applies the output signal to the communication signal to reduce the intersymbol interference. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for processing a communication signal, having an amplitude between a first level and a second level, comprising the steps of:
-
comparing the amplitude to a plurality of references;
for each of the references, providing a respective comparison signal in response to the comparing step;
generating an output signal, having an amplitude set to the first level or the second level, in response to summing the respective comparison signals. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification