A new low complexity iterative equalization architecture for high-speed receivers on highly dispersive channels: Decision feedforward equalizer (DFFE)

This paper introduces the decision feedforward equalizer (DFFE), a new low complexity iterative equalization architecture for high speed receivers used on channels with large intersymbol interference (ISI). The decision feedback equalizer (DFE) is one of the preferred receivers for high ISI channels. The high data and symbol rate of current communications systems often require parallel processing receiver implementations [1]. Unfortunately, the complexity of parallel architectures of the DFE grows exponentially with the channel memory [2] and limits their application to low ISI channels. The DFFE avoids the exponential growth of the DFE by using tentative decisions to iteratively cancel the ISI. We show that the DFFE can achieve performance similar to the DFE. These benefits make it an excellent choice for high-speed receivers required to operate over highly dispersive channels.