Intersymbol Interference in Digital Communication Systems

This article provides a characterization of intersymbol interference (ISI) resulting from channel distortion in wireline and wireline communication systems when data is transmitted at symbol rates approaching the Nyquist rate on a single carrier frequency. The problem of signal design for eliminating ISI is treated and the Nyquist criterion is introduced. The use of a linear channel equalizer to reduce the ISI caused by channel distortion is also described. Keywords: intersymbol interference; channel distortion; Nyquist criterion; channel equalization