Receiver coefficient guided adaptation of pre-equalizer coefficients

An equalization method that comprises:

• converting a receive signal to a filtered signal using a discrete-time, finite impulse response (“FIR”) filter;
• using a decision element to determine channel symbols represented by the filtered signal;
• adjusting coefficients for the FIR filter based on a performance of the equalizer, the coefficients including a first post-cursor coefficient;
• and
• changing a first post-cursor coefficient of a pre-equalizer if the first post-cursor coefficient of the FIR filter has a magnitude exceeding a first threshold.

A system that comprises:

• a remote port having:
• a pre-equalizer configured to convert a digital transmit signal to an equalized transmit signal;
• and
• a digital to analog converter configured to convert the equalized transmit signal to a channel signal;
• and
• a local port having:
• an analog to digital converter configured to provide a digital receive signal representing the channel signal;
• a discrete-time, finite impulse response (“FIR”) filter configured to convert the digital receive signal to a filtered signal;
• a decision element to determine channel symbols represented by the filtered signal;
• and
• a local controller configured to adjust at least one coefficient for the FIR filter based on equalization performance, the local controller further configured to change at least one corresponding coefficient of the pre-equalizer if the at least one coefficient of the FIR filter has a magnitude exceeding a first threshold.