A programmable feed forward equalizer (FFE) includes a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell comprising a capacitive element coupled to an input connection by a first switch and coupled to an output connection by a second switch. The FFE also comprises clock logic configured to control the first switch and the second switch so that a selected voltage signal is applied to the capacitive element at a selected time such that the selected voltage signal defines a capacitance of the capacitive element, the clock logic causing the second switch to couple the capacitive element to the output connection so as to apply the selected voltage signal as a filter coefficient to a summing element.