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 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 .