A wideband programmable hybrid continuous-time/discrete-time equalizer with asymmetric frequency response in 28 nm CMOS

This paper presents a programmable wideband equalizer with hybrid Continuous-Time (CT)/Discrete-Time (DT) architecture. Unlike the conventional hybrid CT/DT circuit, the proposed architecture shares the charge between I path and Q path, enabling to achieve asymmetric frequency response. A prototype has been fabricated in 28 nm CMOS. The proposed equalizer achieves 1.6 GHz wideband asymmetric frequency response with capacitance ratio (C ratio) and clock frequency (f
_CK
) programmability. The proposed equalizer occupies only 0.042 mm
²
of active area.