Fast optimization of FIR decision-feedback equalizers for wireless data communications

Decision-feedback equalization (DFE) is an effective means for mitigating the effects of inter-symbol interference (ISI), In general, the computation of DFE filter coefficients is computationally intensive. Although several fast methods have been proposed in the literature, these methods either give approximate solutions to the DFE optimization problem or are "optimal" only under certain assumptions. This paper describes a new fast algorithm for FIR DFE optimization that eliminates the limitations of the previously methods while obtaining the exact "optimal" solutions. Simulation results show that by using the new algorithm, substantial bit-error-rate improvement of 2-3 dB can be obtained without significantly increasing complexity.