An equalizer includes plural samplers for sampling an incoming input data
stream according to plural phases of a sampling clock, each sampler
producing a data sample. Operating in the analog domain, a multi-tap
finite impulse response (FIR) filter weights the data samples and
combines the weighted data samples to produce a filtered data bit. The
filtered data bits thus form an equalized output data stream. The
equalizer can compensate for characteristics of a communications channel,
such as low-pass characteristics. The channel may carry high-speed, e.g.,
multi-gigabit per second, traffic.