System and method for selecting precursor equalizer coefficients and serializer deserializer incorporating the same

A method of selecting precursor equalizer coefficients, comprising:

• generating an eye height cost function based on continuous-time channel and crosstalk symbol responses pertaining to a particular serial link;
• evaluating said eye height cost function based on a particular criterion;
• and
• producing coefficients for a precursor equalizer to be applied with respect to said particular serial link based on said evaluating.

A serializer deserializer (SERDES), comprising:

• a receiver portion;
• and
• a transmitter portion associated with said receiver portion and including:
• a phase-locked loop (PLL),
• a parallel to serial converter associated with said PLL and including a decision feedback equalizer (DFE),
• a cost producer configured to generate an eye height cost function based on continuous-time channel and crosstalk symbol responses pertaining to a particular serial link, and
• a cost evaluator associated with said cost producer and configured to evaluate said eye height cost function based on a particular criterion thereby to produce coefficients for said DFE.