a slicer can receive a communication signal having a level or amplitude that is between two discrete levels of a multilevel digital communication scheme . the slicer can compare the communication signal to a plurality of references such that multiple comparisons proceed essentially in parallel . a summation node can add the results of the comparisons to provide an output signal set to one of the discrete levels . the slicer can process the communication signal and provide the output signal on a symbol - by - symbol basis . a decision feedback equalizer can comprise the slicer . a feedback circuit of the dfe can delay and scale the output signal and apply the delayed and scaled signal to the communication signal to reduce intersymbol interference .