Error estimation function to update a blind equalizer

摘要

A cable modem (20) having a blind equalizer (40) in its equalization function (28) is disclosed. The blind equalizer (40) includes an adaptive equalizer (44) and an approximating update function (42) that provides updated equalization coefficients to the adaptive equalizer (44) using the Constant Modulus Algorithm, wherein the error in the adaptive equalizer output is estimated. The estimates are based upon a determination of the maximum and minimum of the real and imaginary components of symbols output by the adaptive equalizer (44). Efficiency in the computations required for updating the equalizer coefficients is obtained, without sacrificing convergence.