Abstract: An equalizer having a split folded cascode architecture includes a circuit having a differential pair with a single tail current source and split folded cascode branches. The single tail current source eliminates the input referred offset due to a mismatch in current sources. The folded cascode amplifier acts as the equalizer, which is split into a derivative path and a proportional path. The derivative path boosts the high frequency components of the received signal. The gain of the low frequency components of the received signal is adjusted by the proportional path. The derivative path includes variable capacitors and variable resistors which allow fixing a ‘zero’ frequency and peak gain frequency to a predetermined value, wherein frequencies greater than the ‘zero’ frequency are boosted. The proportional path includes variable resistors, which allow adjusting the low frequency gain without affecting the ‘zero’ frequency and peak gain frequency.