Front-end circuitry for a data receiver and related systems, methods, and devices

A method of equalizing an input signal, the method comprising:

• generating a first equalizer output signal responsive to the input signal applied to a first signal path, the first signal path having a first impedance;
• and
• generating a second equalizer output signal responsive to the input signal applied to a second signal path, the second signal path having a second impedance, the second impedance substantially a square of a reference impedance divided by the first impedance.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first signal path between a signal input terminal and a first equalizer output terminal, the first signal path having a first frequency response responsive to an input signal provided to the signal input terminal;
• a second signal path between the signal input terminal and a second equalizer output terminal, the second signal path having a second frequency response responsive to the input signal provided to the signal input terminal, the second frequency response exhibiting substantially inverse behavior to that of the first frequency response over a predetermined passband, and
• a variable-gain amplifier to sum amplified versions of a first equalizer output signal from the first equalizer output terminal and a second equalizer output signal from the second equalizer output terminal to generate an equalized output signal.