Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptation of continuous time-decision feedback equalizers with programmable adaptation patterns. A continuous time-decision feedback equalizer is adapted by obtaining at least one programmable signature pattern that triggers adaptation of one or more of a pole and a gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer; detecting the at least one programmable signature pattern in an incoming signal; and adapting one or more of the pole and the gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer when the at least one programmable signature pattern is detected in the incoming signal. The programmable signature pattern can be selected to ensure an unambiguous direction of change in an error sample when a corresponding one of the pole and the gain are modified.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptation of continuous time-decision feedback equalizers with programmable adaptation patterns. A continuous time-decision feedback equalizer is adapted by obtaining at least one programmable signature pattern that triggers adaptation of one or more of a pole and a gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer; detecting the at least one programmable signature pattern in an incoming signal; and adapting one or more of the pole and the gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer when the at least one programmable signature pattern is detected in the incoming signal. The programmable signature pattern can be selected to ensure an unambiguous direction of change in an error sample when a corresponding one of the pole and the gain are modified.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a communications channel comprising a link level protocol, a driver, a receiver, and a canceller/equalizer. The link level protocol provides logic for DC-free signal encoding and recovery as well as supporting many features including CRC error detection and message resend to accommodate infrequent bit errors across the medium. The canceller/equalizer provides equalization for destabilized data signals and also provides simultaneous bi-directional data transfer. The receiver provides bit deskewing by removing synchronization error, or skewing, between data signals. The driver provides impedance controlling by monitoring the characteristics of the communications medium, like voltage or temperature, and providing a matching output impedance in the signal driver so that fewer distortions occur while the data travels across the communications medium.

Abstract: A variable communication systems comprising a plurality of transceivers and a control circuit connected to the transceivers to configure the transceivers to operate in a bi-directional mode and a uni-directional mode at different times using different transfer methods to transfer data.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and apparatus for impedance control to provide for controlling the impedance of a communication circuit using an all-digital impedance control circuit wherein one or more control bits are used to tune the output impedance. In one example embodiment, the impedance control circuit is fabricated using circuit components found in a standard macro library of a computer aided design system. According to another example embodiment, there is provided a control for an output driver on an integrated circuit (“IC”) device to provide for forming a resistor divider network with the output driver and a resistor off the IC device so that the divider network produces an output voltage, comparing the output voltage of the divider network with a reference voltage, and adjusting the output impedance of the output driver to attempt to match the output voltage of the divider network and the reference voltage.