Reduced complexity decision feedback equalization for multipath channels with large delay spreads

Two modified decision feedback equalization (DFE) structures are presented for the efficient equalization of long sparse channels with strong precursor, such as those encountered in high-speed communications over multipath channels with large delay spread. Unlike the conventional DFE, these structures allow the channel's sparseness to be exploited by simple tap allocation, before the sparseness is degraded by feedforward filtering. Both structures yield large reductions in complexity while maintaining performance comparable to the conventional DFE, hence overcoming a key computational bottleneck when equalizers are implemented in hardware for speed. Fast channel estimate-based algorithms for computing the modified DFE coefficients are derived. Simulation results are presented for data rates and channel profiles of the type considered for the proposed North American high definition television (HDTV) terrestrial broadcast mode.