Joint timing recovery and decision feedback equalizer adaptation in wireline network receivers

Abstract

A network communications receiver and a method of operating the same in symbol timing recovery and equalization adaptation. A data converter samples a received analog signal at an initialization frequency higher than the symbol frequency of the received signal, and converts the samples to a digital sample stream. A decision feedback equalizer including a digital filter with one or more tap weights is adapted, and an error measurement obtained from the output of the decision feedback equalizer. In response to the error measurement crossing an error threshold value, a timing loop including timing error detection is initiated to adjust the phase of the sampling clock applied to the data converter.