Mitigating error propagation effects in a decision feedback equalizer

We present an approximate analysis approach to the computation of probability of error and mean burst error length for a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) that takes into account feedback of decision errors. The method uses a reduced-state Markov model of the feedback process and is applicable to linear modulation formats. We use this technique to analyze a DFE design that mitigates the effects of feedback error by incorporating a soft decision device into the feedback path and a norm constraint on the feedback filter weights. We apply the DFE design and analysis approach to a dispersive multipath propagation environment. Index Terms--Decision feedback equalizers, error analysis, error propagation, Markov processes.