Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A 112 Gbps DSP-based PAM4 SerDes receiver with a wide band equalization tuning AFE is implemented in 7 nm FinFET. • The AFE provides flexible equalization gain tuning up to 17.5 dB at Nyquist frequency without affecting DC gain. • The receiver achieves a BER of 6×10⁻⁹ over a 29.6 dB insertion loss channel after digital FIR equalization. • The AFE combines source degeneration, feedforward high-pass branch, and inductive feedback peaking TIA for wideband equalization.
Abstract
In DSP-based SerDes application, it is essential for AFE to implement a pre-ADC equalization to provide a better signal for ADC and DSP. To meet the various equalization requirements of different channel and transmitter configurations, this paper presents a 112 Gbps DSP-Based PAM4 SerDes receiver with a wide band equalization tuning AFE. The AFE is realized by implementing source degeneration transconductance, feedforward high-pass branch and inductive feedback peaking TIA. The AFE offers a flexible equalization gain tuning of up to 17.5 dB at Nyquist frequency without affecting the DC gain. With the proposed AFE, the receiver demonstrates eye opening after digital FIR equalization and achieves 6 × 10−9 BER with a 29.6 dB insertion loss channel.
1. Introduction
With the rapid development of AI and machine learning in recent years, data centers experience an increasing demand for wider data transmission bandwidth. High-speed SerDes is the key technique to meet the throughput requirement. However, as data rates continue to rise, severe channel loss has become a significant obstacle to the performance of high-speed SerDes. When high frequency signals are transmitted through a lossy channel, they experience substantial amplitude attenuation and waveform distortion which lead to ISI. Therefore, channel loss must be equalized by the receiver (RX) circuits, including the analog front-end (AFE), to achieve low bit error rate (BER) data recovery[1−10].
Furthermore, since channel length and transmitter (TX) equalization may vary across different applications, the RX is required to provide flexible equalization strength[11−15]. An AFE design with flexible equalization tuning is highly desired even in DSP-based RX designs, as it can relax the requirements on the ADC dynamic range and simplify digital equalization. In this paper, we present a 112 Gbps DSP based PAM4 SerDes receiver design with a wide band termination and a wide band equalization tuning AFE. The AFE provides isolated and smooth equalization gain tuning at different frequency ranges, the total equalization tuning covers a wide band from 1 GHz to Nyquist frequency and supports a maximum equalization gain tuning range from 0 to 17.5 dB at 27 GHz.
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Huanan Guo, Yufeng Yao, Jiazhen Ni, Xiang Gao (2025). A 112 Gbps DSP-based PAM4 SerDes receiver with a wide band equalization tuning AFE in 7 nm FinFET. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1088/1674-4926/25030001
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum equalization gain tuning range of the proposed AFE?
The proposed AFE supports a maximum equalization gain tuning range from 0 to 17.5 dB at 27 GHz (Nyquist frequency).
What is the bit error rate (BER) achieved by the receiver?
The receiver achieves a BER of 6×10⁻⁹ with a 29.6 dB insertion loss channel after digital FIR equalization.
What technology node is the receiver implemented in?
The receiver is implemented in 7 nm FinFET technology.
What techniques are used in the AFE to achieve wide band equalization tuning?
The AFE uses source degeneration transconductance, a feedforward high-pass branch, and inductive feedback peaking TIA to achieve wide band equalization tuning.
Why is pre-ADC equalization important in DSP-based SerDes receivers?
Pre-ADC equalization in the AFE provides a better signal to the ADC and DSP, relaxing the requirements on ADC dynamic range and simplifying digital equalization.
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