De-emphasis controller for transmit driver in wireline communication

Various embodiments relate to a de-emphasis (DE) controller in a wireline transmitter, including: a digital decoder configured to receive a DE control value and configured to produce a bias control value, an N1 control value, and an N2 control value; a bias controller configured to vary the bias current for a de-emphasis circuit based upon the bias control value; an N1 controller configured to activate a number of N1 unit cells in a delayed line driver based upon the N1 control value; and an N2 controller configured to activate a number of N2 unit cells in a non-delayed line driver based upon the N2 control value, wherein the N1 control value plus the N2 control value varies for different DE control values, and wherein the bias control value is based upon the N1 control value plus the N2 control value.