A 1-tap 40-Gbps look-ahead decision feedback equalizer in 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology

This paper describes a fully-differential 1-Tap decision feedback equalizer (DFE) in 0.18/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology. The circuit is capable of equalizing NRZ data up to 40 Gbps. A look-ahead architecture is used with modifications to reduce complexity in the high speed clock distribution. An analog differential voltage controls the tap weights. The design is fabricated in 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology with a 160-GHz ft. It occupies an area of 1.5 mm /spl times/ 1mm and operates from a 3.3 V supply with 230 mA current. It is the first feedback equalizer at 40 Gbps in silicon.