Patent ID: 7616700

Claim:
A method for processing a multilevel communication signal comprising a series of symbol periods, each of a time duration, the method comprising the steps of: slicing a waveform of a first symbol period in response to performing, in less time than the time duration, the steps of: generating a first signal in response to comparing the waveform of the first symbol period to a first amplitude threshold using a first comparator disposed in a first circuit branch; generating a second signal in response to comparing the waveform of the first symbol period to a second amplitude threshold using a second comparator disposed in a second circuit branch that is substantially parallel with the first circuit branch; and forming a quantized signal comprising a selected level of a multilevel communication scheme for the first symbol period in response to adding the first signal to the second signal; and compensating for intersymbol interference on a waveform of a second symbol period that immediately follows the first symbol period in response to performing the steps of: forming a feedback signal via applying a first amount of delay and an adjustable level of gain to the formed quantized signal; and applying the feedback signal to the waveform of the second symbol period.