US Patent 7822114 Decision feedback equalizer using soft decisions

A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and method include at least two paths. Each path includes the following. An adder is configured to sum an input with a first feedback tap fed back from a different path. A latch is coupled to the adder to receive a summation signal as input. The latch includes a transparent state, and an output of the latch is employed as the first tap in a feedback path to an adder of a different path, wherein a partially resolved first tap in the feedback path is employed during the transparent state to provide a soft decision to supply correction information in advance of a hard decision of the latch.