A wireless power transmitter can receive the results of a characterizing signal transmitted by the wireless power receiver, compute at least two parameters of a model characterizing an in-band communications channel based on the received results of the characterizing signal transmitted by the wireless power receiver, compute a plurality of equalizing filter taps from the at least two parameters, and apply the computed equalizing filter to subsequent signals received by the wireless power transmitter via the in-band communications channel. A first parameter can correspond to a time constant of the channel, and a second parameter can correspond to a damping value of the communications channel. The wireless power transmitter can transmit to a wireless power receiver a request to transmit a characterizing signal through the in-band communication channel, wherein the characterizing signal transmitted by the wireless power receiver is sent in response to the transmitted request.