Timer-based edge-boosting equalizer for high-speed wireline transmitters

An apparatus comprising:

• means for transmitting a data signal over a serial transmission line, including a driver circuit operated at a first voltage level and configured to drive the serial transmission line in accordance with an input signal;
• means for generating pulses, configured to provide a plurality of pulses in a control signal when differences in voltage state are detected between the input signal with a delayed version of the input signal;
• and
• means for boosting the data signal including one or more helper circuits configured to pull the serial transmission line to a second voltage level when each pulse in the plurality of pulses is present in the control signal, the second voltage level being greater than the first voltage level.

A method for equalizing a data signal transmitted over a serial transmission line comprising:

• driving the serial transmission line to a first voltage level in response to an input signal received by a driver circuit;
• providing a plurality of pulses in a control signal when differences in voltage state are detected between the input signal and a delayed version of the input signal;
• and
• pulling the serial transmission line to a second voltage level when each pulse in the plurality of pulses is present in the control signal, the second voltage level being greater than the first voltage level.