Continuous-time FIR equalization filters for channels with severe attenuation

• Main Author: Gillin, Donesh T
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2014
• Subjects: Computer Engineering; Electrical engineering; Engineering
• ISBN: 1321151403; 9781321151404

This dissertation presents research on continuous-time finite impulse response (FIR) equalization filters for channels with severe attenuation. As either channel length or transmission rate increase the additional inter-symbol interference (ISI) quickly results in a closed transmission eye. This necessitates the use of equalization as a means to correctly recover incoming data. To counteract these augmented levels of ISI, a study of FIR equalizer design is first presented. This study explores various equalizer design topologies, including fractional spacing and total tap delay length. Within each topology the study determines tap coefficient values which perform well throughout simulation. With the aid of this study a continuous time FIR equalizer was designed to resourcefully employ both its tap delay line and multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) summing node budget. The filter was then constructed in a 0.12 m complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. This equalizer operates at 5Gbps with a ¼ symbol-period active inductor delay line. It can compensate for 30dB attenuation at the half symbol rate frequency while consuming 22mW.