Patent ID: 7170931

Claim:
An equalizer, comprising: a plurality of taps, each tap comprising a multiplier which is coupled to multiply a respective input sample by a respective coefficient, the taps being arranged in sequence so that the input sample to each of the taps, except to a first tap in the sequence, is delayed relative to a preceding tap in the sequence; and an input selector, which is coupled to toggle the input sample to at least a selected tap among the plurality of taps, responsive to a state of the equalizer, so that the equalizer operates in a first state as a feed forward equalizer, and in a second state as a blind equalizer; and comprising coefficient update circuitry, which receives an error signal as an input and determines the respective coefficient to be applied to each of the taps responsive to the error signal, wherein the error signal is provided in the second state by the selected tap, and wherein the input selector is adapted to toggle the input sample to the selected tap so that in the second state the input sample to the selected tap comprises a differential signal.