Crosstalk

Overview and Modes

Overview
What is Crosstalk?
Crosstalk Induced Noise
Effect of crosstalk on transmission line parameters
Crosstalk Trends
Design Guidelines and Rules of Thumb

Crosstalk Overview

Crosstalk Induced Noise

Key Topics:
Mutual Inductance and capacitance
Coupled noise
Circuit Model
Transmission line matrices

Crosstalk Overview

Mutual Inductance and Capacitance

Crosstalk is the coupling of energy from one line to another
via:

Mutual capacitance (electric field)

Mutual inductance (magnetic field)

Mutual Inductance, Lm

Mutual Capacitance, Cm
Zo

Zo

Zo

Zo

far

far

Cm
Lm
near

Zs
Zo

near

Zs
Zo

Crosstalk Overview

Mutual Inductance and Capacitance

Mechanism of coupling

The circuit element that represents this

transfer of energy are the following familiar

equations

VLm

dI
Lm
dt

I Cm

dV
Cm
dt

The mutual inductance will induce current on the victim line opposite of the driving
current (Lenzs Law)

The mutual capacitance will pass current through the mutual capacitance that flows in
both directions on the victim line

Crosstalk Overview

Crosstalk Induced Noise

Coupled Currents

The near and far end victim line currents sum to

produce the near and the far end crosstalk noise

Zo

Zo

Zo

Zo

far

far

ICm
near

Zs

near

Zs

Zo

ILm

Lm

Zo

I near I Cm I Lm

I far I Cm I Lm

Crosstalk Overview

Crosstalk Induced Noise

Voltage Profile of Coupled Noise
Near end crosstalk is always positive

Currents from Lm and Cm always add and flow into the node

For PCBs, the far end crosstalk is usually negative

Current due to Lm larger than current due to Cm
Note that far and crosstalk can be positive

Zo
Zo
Far End

Driven Line
Un-driven Line
victim
Zs
Driver

Near End

Zo

Crosstalk Overview

Graphical Explanation
Time = 0

Near end crosstalk pulse at T=0 (Inear)

~Tr Near end

crosstalk

Zo

Time= 1/2 TD

TD

Far end crosstalk pulse at T=0 (Ifar)

~Tr
2TD

Zo

far end
crosstalk

Zo

Time= TD
V

Zo

Zo

Far end of current

terminated at T=TD

Time = 2TD
V

Zo
Zo

Crosstalk Overview

Near end current

terminated at T=2TD

Crosstalk Equations

TD

Zo

Terminated Victim

Zo

Vinput LM C M

4 L
C

TD X LC

Far End

Driven Line
Un-driven Line
victim
Zs

Vinput X LC LM C M
L C
2Tr

Near End

Driver

Zo

Tr

~Tr

Tr

TD

Far End
Open Victim

2TD

Zo

Vinput LM C M
A

4 L
C

Far End

Driven Line
Un-driven Line
victim

A
B

Zs
Driver

1
C
2

Near End

Zo

Tr

~Tr

~Tr

2TD
Crosstalk Overview

Vinput X LC LM C M
C
L C
Tr

10

Crosstalk Equations

TD

Near End Open Victim

Zo
Zo

Vinput LM C M

2 L
C

Far End

Driven Line
Un-driven Line
victim
Zs
Driver

Near End

Vinput X LC LM C M
B
L C
2Tr

The Crosstalk noise characteristics are

Tr

Tr

Tr

2TD
3TD

dependent on the termination of the victim line

Crosstalk Overview

V
C
L
C input M M
4 L
C

Creating a Crosstalk Model

11

Equivalent Circuit

The circuit must be distributed into N segments as

shown in chapter 2
C12
Line 2

Line 1
C1G

C2G

C1G(1)
K1

L11(2)

L11(1)

Line 1

L11(N)

C1G(N)

C1G(2)
K1

C12(1)

L12
L11 L22

K1

C12(2)

C12(n)

Line 2
L22(1)

C2G(1)

L22(2)

C2G(2)

Crosstalk Overview

L22(N)

C2G(N)

Creating a Crosstalk Model

Transmission Line Matrices

12

The transmission line Matrices are used to represent the electrical characteristics
The Inductance matrix is shown, where:
LNN = the self inductance of line N per unit length
LMN = the mutual inductance between line M and N

L11
L
Inductance Matrix = 21

LN 1

L12
L22

Crosstalk Overview

...

L1N

LNN

Creating a Crosstalk Model

Transmission Line Matrices
The Capacitance matrix is shown, where:
CNN = the self capacitance of line N per unit length where:

CNG = The capacitance between line N and ground

CMN = Mutual capacitance between lines M and N

C NN C NG Cmutuals

C11
C
21

Capacitance Matrix =

C12
C22

...

C1N

CN 1

C NN

For example, for the 2 line circuit shown earlier:

C11 C1G C12

Crosstalk Overview

13

14

Example
Calculate near and far end crosstalk-induced noise magnitudes and sketch the
waveforms of circuit shown below:

v
R1

R2

Vsource=2V, (Vinput = 1.0V), Trise = 100ps.

Length of line is 2 inches. Assume all terminations are 70 Ohms.
Assume the following capacitance and inductance matrix:

L / inch =

9.869nH
2.103nH

2.103nH
9.869nH

2.051 pF
C / inch =
0.239 pF

0.239 pF
2.051 pF

The characteristic impedance is:

ZO

L11
9.869nH

69.4
C11
2.051 pF

Therefore the system has matched termination.

The crosstalk noise magnitudes can be calculated as follows:

Crosstalk Overview

Example (cont.)
Near end crosstalk voltage amplitude (from slide 12):
Vnear

Vinput L12 C12 1V 2.103nH 0.239 pF

0.082V

4 L11 C11
4 9.869nH 2.051 pF

Far end crosstalk voltage amplitude (slide 12):

V far

Vinput ( X LC ) L12 C12 1V * 2inch * 9.869nH * 2.051 pF

2Trise
L
C
2 *100 ps
11
11

2.103nH 0.239 pF

0.137V

9
.
869
nH
2
.
051
pF

The propagation delay of the 2 inch line is:

Thus,

200mV/div

TD X LC 2inch * (9.869nH * 2.051nH 0.28ns

Crosstalk
Overview
100ps/div

15

16

Effect of Crosstalk on
Transmission line Parameters
Key Topics:

Odd and Even Mode Characteristics

Microstrip vs. Stripline
Modal Termination Techniques
Modal Impedances for more than 2 lines
Effect Switching Patterns
Single Line Equivalent Model (SLEM)

Crosstalk Overview

Odd and Even Transmission Modes

Even Mode

Odd Mode

Crosstalk Overview

17

Odd Mode Transmission

18

Potential difference between the conductors lead to an increase of

the effective Capacitance equal to the mutual capacitance

+1

+1

-1

-1

Electric Field:
Odd mode

Magnetic Field:
Odd mode

Because currents are flowing in opposite directions, the total

inductance is reduced by the mutual inductance (Lm)
V

Drive (I)
Induced (-ILm)

Induced (ILm)

Drive (-I)

Lm

Crosstalk Overview

-I

dI
d ( I )
V L Lm
dt
dt
dI
( L Lm)
dt

19

Odd Mode Transmission

Derivation of Odd Mode Inductance

Mutual Inductance:
Consider the circuit:

L11

I1

+ V1

I2

+ V2 -

dI 1
dI
Lm 2
dt
dt
dI
dI
V2 LO 2 Lm 1
dt
dt
V1 LO

Lm
L11 L22

L22

Since the signals for odd-mode switching are always opposite, I 1 = -I2 and
V1 = -V2, so that: V1 LO dI 1 Lm d ( I 1 ) ( LO Lm ) dI 1
dt
dt
dt
dI
d ( I 2 )
dI
V2 LO 2 Lm
( LO Lm ) 2
dt
dt
dt

Thus, since LO = L11 = L22,

Lodd L11 Lm L11 L12

Meaning that the equivalent inductance seen in an odd-mode environment

is reduced by the mutual inductance.

Crosstalk Overview

Odd Mode Transmission

Derivation of Odd Mode Capacitance
V2

Mutual Capacitance:

Consider the circuit:

C1g

C1g = C2g = CO = C11 C12

C2g

So,

Cm
V2

dV1
d (V1 V2 )
dV
dV
Cm
(C O C m ) 1 C m 2
dt
dt
dt
dt
dV
d (V2 V1 )
dV
dV
I 2 CO 2 C m
(C O C m ) 2 C m 1
dt
dt
dt
dt
I1 CO

And again, I1 = -I2 and V1 = -V2, so that:

dV1
d (V1 (V1 ))
dV
Cm
(C1g 2C m ) 1
dt
dt
dt
dV
d (V2 (V2 ))
dV
I 2 CO 2 C m
(C O 2C m ) 2
dt
dt
dt
I1 CO

Thus,

Codd C1g 2Cm C11 Cm

Meaning that the equivalent capacitance for odd mode switching increases.

Crosstalk Overview

20

Odd Mode Transmission

Odd Mode Transmission Characteristics

Impedance:
Thus the impedance for odd mode behavior is:

Z odd

Lodd
L11 L12

Codd
C11 C12

( Note : Z differential 2 Z odd ) Explain why.

Propagation Delay:
and the propagation delay for odd mode behavior is:

TDodd Lodd C odd ( L11 L12 )(C11 C12 )

Crosstalk Overview

21

Even Mode Transmission

22

Since the conductors are always at a equal potential, the

effective capacitance is reduced by the mutual capacitance

+1

+1

+1

+1

Magnetic Field:
Even mode

Electric Field:
Even mode

Because currents are flowing in the same direction, the total

inductance is increased by the mutual inductance (Lm)
V

Drive (I)
Induced (ILm)

Induced (ILm)

Lm

Drive (I)

Crosstalk Overview

dI
d (I )
Lm
dt
dt
dI
( L Lm)
dt

V L

23

Even Mode Transmission

Derivation of even Mode Effective Inductance

Mutual Inductance:

I1

Again, consider the circuit:

dI
dI
V1 LO 1 Lm 2
dt
dt
dI
dI
V2 LO 2 Lm 1
dt
dt

L11
+ V1

I2

+ V2 -

Lm
L11 L22

L22

Since the signals for even-mode switching are always equal and in the same
direction so that I1 = I2 and V1 = V2, so that:
dI1
d ( I1 )
dI
Lm
( LO Lm ) 1
dt
dt
dt
dI
d (I2 )
dI
V2 LO 2 Lm
( LO Lm ) 2
dt
dt
dt
V1 LO

Thus,

Leven L11 Lm L11 L12

Meaning that the equivalent inductance of even mode behavior increases

by the mutual inductance.

Crosstalk Overview

24

Even Mode Transmission

Derivation of even Mode Effective Capacitance

V2

Mutual Capacitance:
Again, consider the circuit:
dV1
d (V1 V1 )
dV
Cm
CO 1
dt
dt
dt
dV
d (V2 V2 )
dV
I 2 CO 2 C m
CO 2
dt
dt
dt

C1g
C2g

Cm
V2

I 1 CO

Thus,

Ceven C0 C11 Cm

Meaning that the equivalent capacitance during even mode behavior

decreases.

Crosstalk Overview

Even Mode Transmission

Even Mode Transmission Characteristics

Impedance:
Thus the impedance for even mode behavior is:

Z even

Leven
L11 L12

Ceven
C11 C12

Propagation Delay:
and the propagation delay for even mode behavior is:

TDeven LevenCeven ( L11 L12 )(C11 C12 )

Crosstalk Overview

25

Odd and Even Mode Comparison for

Coupled Microstrips
Even mode (as seen on line 1)

Input waveforms

Impedance difference

V1

Odd mode (Line 1)

Line 1

v1
V2

v2

Probe point

Line2

Delay difference due to modal velocity differences

Crosstalk Overview

26

Microstrip vs. Stripline Crosstalk

Crosstalk Induced Velocity Changes
Chapter 2 defined propagation delay as

r
T pd
c

Chapter 2 also defined an effective dielectric constant that is used to calculate the delay for a microstrip that accounted for a portion of the fields fringing through the air and a portion through the PCB material
This shows that the propagation delay is dependent on the effective dielectric constant

In a pure dielectric (homogeneous), fields will not fringe through the air, subsequently, the delay is dependent on the dielectric constant of the material

Crosstalk Overview

27

28

Microstrip vs. Stripline Crosstalk

Crosstalk Induced Velocity Changes

Odd and Even mode electric fields in a microstrip will have different percentages
of the total field fringing through the air which will change the effective Er
Leads to velocity variations between even and odd

Microstrip E field patterns

+1
+1

+1

-1

Er=1.0

Er=1.0

Er=4.2

Er=4.2

The effective dielectric constant, and subsequently the

propagation velocity depends on the electric field patterns

Crosstalk Overview

29

Microstrip vs. Stripline Crosstalk

Crosstalk Induced Velocity Changes

If the dielectric is homogeneous (I.e., buried microstrip or stripline) , the

effective dielectric constant will not change because the electric fields will
never fringe through air

Stripline E field patterns

+1
+1

+1

-1
Er=4.2

Er=4.2

Subsequently, if the transmission line is implemented in a homogeneous

dielectric, the velocity must stay constant between even and odd mode
patterns

Crosstalk Overview

Microstrip vs. Stripline Crosstalk

30

Crosstalk Induced Noise

The constant velocity in a homogeneous media (such as

a stripline) forces far end crosstalk noise to be zero
TDodd TDeven

( L11 L12 )(C11 C12 ) ( L11 L12 )(C11 C12 )

L12C11 L11C12 L11C12 L12C11
L12 C12

L11 C11
Since far end crosstalk takes the following form:

Far end crosstalk is zero for a homogeneous Er

Vinput X LC L12 C12

Crosstalk ( far _ stripline )

0
2Tr
L11 C11

Crosstalk Overview

31

Termination Techniques
Pi and T networks

Single resistor terminations described in chapter 2 do not work for coupled lines
3 resistor networks can be designed to terminate both odd and even modes
T Termination

R1

R3

Odd Mode
Equivalent

+1

R1

-1

R2

R2

Virtual Ground
in center

-1

R1 R2 Z odd
1
R3 Z even Z odd
2
Crosstalk Overview

Even Mode
Equivalent

+1

2R3

R1

+1
R2

2R3

32

Termination Techniques
Pi and T networks

The alternative is a PI termination

PI Termination

R1

R1
R3

-1

Odd Mode
Equivalent

+1

R3

-1

R3
R2

R2

Even Mode
R1 R2 Z even
Equivalent
Z even Z odd
R3 2
Z even ZCrosstalk
Overview
odd

+1
+1

R1
R2