Fractionally spaced adaptive equalizer with non-integer sampling

An apparatus for performing fractionally spaced adaptive equalization based on non-integer sub-symbol sampling, the apparatus comprising:

• an adaptive equalizer configured to receive a continuous stream of input data having a non-integer, fractional delay between consecutive samples at a non-integer, sub-symbol rate and to output a stream of equalized data based on tap weights of the adaptive equalizer, wherein the adaptive equalizer comprises a plurality of taps and a tap weight update component for updating the tap weights using an error signal;
• and
• an equalizer output alignment component disposed downstream of the adaptive equalizer and comprising a fractional delay filter (FDF) for aligning the stream of equalized data with a corresponding transmitted symbol,
• wherein the taps are spaced at an interval corresponding to the non-integer, sub-symbol rate, and
• wherein the tap weights are updated independently of the fractional delay between consecutive samples of the input data.