Patent ID: 9742596
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: H04L

Claim:
1. A decision feedback equalizer comprising: a positive signal line and a negative signal line; a sense amplifier configured to generate an output signal by comparing a reference voltage and a voltage difference between a first voltage of the positive signal line and a second voltage of the negative signal line at a falling edge of a clock signal; a feedback driver configured to provide a positive feedback current and a negative feedback current to the positive signal line and the negative signal line, respectively, based on the output signal; a load unit comprising a first capacitor and a second capacitor and configured to discharge the first and second capacitors during a pre-charge period in which the clock signal is deactivated, charge the first capacitor with a first current from the positive signal line and a positive input current corresponding to a positive input signal during a normal period in which the clock signal is activated, and charge the second capacitor with a second current from the negative signal line and a negative input current corresponding to a negative input signal during the normal period, the first voltage being applied across the first capacitor and the second voltage being applied across the second capacitor; a differential driver configured to maintain a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage at a last time point of the normal period to be equal to or greater than the reference voltage by adjusting strength of the positive input current and strength of the negative input current based on a temperature signal generated according to detected temperature; and a charge pump configured to provide a positive offset voltage and a negative offset voltage to the positive signal line and the negative signal line, respectively, in the normal period to maintain an average voltage of the first voltage and the second voltage at the last time point of the normal period at a first value.