Importance

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Abstract

A DC-coupled data slicer operates on a baseband signal based on a variable threshold and an AC-coupled data slicer operates on the baseband signal based on a fixed threshold. The variable threshold is initially set to a stored threshold value corresponding to a previously used value of the variable threshold. Differences between DC-coupled sliced data and the AC-coupled sliced data are determined and used to adjust the variable threshold. In one embodiment, the AC-coupled data slicer is characterized by a settling time constant. The variable threshold is not adjusted until expiration of a predetermined delay preferably set to be a multiple of the settling time constant. After expiry of the predetermined delay, adjustments to the variable threshold are made to correct any detected variances in the expected duty cycle of the DC-coupled data slicer output. In this manner, the present invention overcomes the problems resulting from settling times inherent in prior art techniques.

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First Claim