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Signal Integrity - Crosstalk 🚧

When a signal travels along a signal line, it induces related signals on adjacent signal lines on the PCB board, a phenomenon known as crosstalk. Crosstalk typically manifests as spikes or interference. Crosstalk arises from the coupling of parasitic inductance between transmission lines and can lead to signal distortion.

Crosstalk can be categorized into near-end crosstalk (NEXT) and far-end crosstalk (FEXT).

Crosstalk Diagram

As depicted in the image, an abrupt signal transition occurs on the upper signal line. In the pink area, two conductors are in close proximity (not adhering to the 3W rule), leading to crosstalk. The lower conductor represents the disturbed line.

Crosstalk begins when the transitioning signal enters the interference region (pink area):

Crosstalk Onset

Crosstalk Propagation

It can be observed that since the source of interference is moving and emitting in two directions simultaneously, the interference waveforms in the same direction as the signal add up as time progresses, while the opposite-direction waveforms remain largely unchanged.

After the transitioning signal exits the interference region, the raised waveforms on the disturbed line start to fade and propagate in their respective directions:

Crosstalk Conclusion

Ultimately, the crosstalk received at the near end and far end is as follows:

Crosstalk Reduction Methods

Methods to reduce crosstalk include:

  • Increasing trace spacing: Adhering to the 3W rule.
  • Reducing the distance between signal lines and ground.
  • Minimizing the coupling length of parallel traces.
  • Increasing the rise or fall time of signals: If timing constraints permit, this can mitigate the impact of high-frequency signals.
  • Employing proper termination techniques: Weaken or absorb signal reflections, thus reducing crosstalk intensity.

References and Acknowledgments

Original: https://wiki-power.com/ This post is protected by CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 agreement, should be reproduced with attribution.

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