Dynamic constellation adaptation for slicer

A device comprising:

• a slicer decision unit configured to:
• select a first constellation as an output responsive to an input greater than a threshold;
• and
• select a second constellation as an output responsive to an input smaller than said threshold;
• and
• a constellation adaptation unit coupled to said slicer decision unit comprising:
• a comparator configured to compare each of a first plurality of inputs with a first value, wherein said first plurality of inputs are supplied to said slicer decision unit;
• a first counter configured to, responsive to comparison decisions output from said comparator, produce a number of first inputs comprised in said first plurality of inputs and each having a value encompassed in a first range, wherein said first range is defined by said first value;
• and
• logic configured to:
• determine a first count ratio of said number of said first inputs to a total number of said first plurality of inputs;
• determine an adapted constellation based on said first value and said first count ratio;
• and
• send said adapted constellation to said slicer decision unit.

A receiver comprising:

• an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to converted received analog signals to digital signals;
• an equalizer coupled to said ADC and configured to:
• generate equalized signals responsive to digital signals;
• and send said equalized signals as inputs to a slicer decision unit;
• said slicer decision unit coupled to said equalizer and configured to:
• select a first constellation as an output responsive to an input greater than a threshold;
• and
• select a second constellation as an output responsive to an input smaller than said threshold;
• and
• a constellation adaptation unit coupled to said slicer decision unit and configured to:
• access a first plurality of inputs;
• compare each of said first plurality of inputs with a first value;
• based on said comparing with said first value, determine a first count ratio of first inputs to said first plurality of inputs, wherein each of said first inputs is comprised in said first plurality of inputs and has a value encompassed in a first range that is defined by said first value;
• compare said first count ratio with a preset count ratio;
• determine an adapted constellation based on said first value and said comparing with said preset count ratio.