Division for Electricity and Lightning Research

Uppsala University

4. Crosstalk (near-field coupling)

When the distance between source of disturbance and the system suffering interference is
very small, the victim system is in the near-field region of the source system. Then the
coupling path process between the source and victim is referred to as crosstalk. Crosstalk
from one system to other can occur when the systems share a common-impedance (or
shared conductor). It also happens through electromagnetic (EM) coupling in the near-
field. Sometimes EM field coupling can be decomposed into that primarily due to
magnetic field (inductive crosstalk) or primarily due to electric field (capacitive
crosstalk). In many situations, crosstalk happens as a mixture of common-impedance and
EM field coupling.

Crosstalk in general increases with increasing frequency, unless the skin effect acts to
screen it off as in a homogeneous shield of a cable.

4.1 Common impedance coupling

Often, two or more current loops share a common conductor, usually the reference
conductor or plane as shown in Fig.1. Let the desired signal be the voltage drop VL1
across the resistor RL1. This signal is affected by the current I2 in circuit 2 (source
circuit). In the following analysis we will see how the impedance Zc of the common
connection between circuit 1 and circuit 2 is the reason for the interference in signal
voltage VL1. Remember that at high frequencies conductors have finite impedance which
can not be neglected.

I1
Victim Source I2

Rg1 Rg2 RL2 RL1 V L1

+ +
V g1 V g2
- -

Reference
A Zc B

Fig. 4.1 Common impedance coupling

From mesh analysis of loop 1 and loop 2,

Vg1 = R g1 I 1 + R L1 I 1 + Z c ( I 1 + I 2 ) (1)
Vg 2 = Rg 2 I 2 + RL 2 I 2 + Z c ( I 1 + I 2 ) (2)

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In general, all the currents and voltages are time varying.

Rewrite (1) and (2) in terms of loop impedance,

Vg1 = Rloop1 I 1 + Z c I 2 (3)

Vg2 = Rloop2 I 2 + Zc I 1 (4)
where

Rloop1 = Rg1 + RL 1 + Zc (5)

Rloop2 = R g2 + RL 2 + Z c (6)

We can solve (3) and (4) for I1 RL1 as

V g1 RL 1 Z c R L1 (V g2 Z c I 1 )
I 1 R L1 = (7)
Rloop1 Rloop 1 Rloop2

Usually the common impedance Zc is very small compared to the sum of loop resistances.
Assuming Zc2 <<Rloop1 Rloop2.

Vg1 R L1 Vg 2 Z c R L1
VL 1 = I 1 R L1 = (8)
Rloop 1 Rloop1 Rloop 2

In equation (8), the first term is the signal S in the absence of interference. The second
term of (8) is the noise N, which is the voltage drop across RL1 due to the disturbance
source Vg2 . There is no noise if Zc = 0 or if Vg2 = 0.

Signal to noise ratio

S V g1 Rloop 2
= (9)
N Vg 2 Z c

The signal to noise ratio decreases or the interference due to common impedance
increases 1) if the common impedance Zc is increased and 2) if the current through the
Vg 2
common impedance due to the disturbing circuit ( ) is increased.
Rloop 2
Crosstalk due to common impedance can be reduced by keeping Zc as low as possible or
avoiding Zc altogether. Assign separate conductors to each loop and connect each loop to
the reference at a single point as illustrated in Fig. 4.2.

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Rg1 R L1 R g2 R L2

+ +
Vg1 Vg2
- -

Reference

Fig. 4.2 Single-point earthing to avoid common impedance coupling

Note: The common impedance Zc contain a resistive part and a reactive part. In the case
of a shared conductor the inductive part is dominant at high frequencies, Zc jL. Also,
in the foregoing analysis, the dimensions of the circuits are assumed to be much less than
the wavelengths of interest (electrically small).

If the victim circuit (circuit 1) do not contain any sources (V g1 = 0), we can rewrite (8) as

V L1 Z c R L1
= (10)
Vg 2 Rloop1 Rloop 2
Equation (10) can be considered as a crosstalk transfer function due to common
impedance. It is the voltage produced in the victim circuit per unit source voltage in the
disturbing circuit.

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4.2 Capacitive coupling

Consider two current loops over a conducting plate as shown in Fig. 4.3. The loops are
electrically small.

R
R L2 V
g2 L1
R L1 1 - Victim
+
V 2 - Source
g2
- R
g1

Fig. 4.3 Two conducting wires above a conducting plate forming current loops

Current loops have electromagnetic fields associated with it. First consider only the
electric fields. That is, consider only the capacitive coupling, neglecting the inductive and
common impedance couplings. The capacitive coupling between the two loops can be
represented by the circuit diagram in Fig. 4.

R g2 C 12
2 1

+
Vg2 V R R g1 R L1 V
L2 L2 L1
Cr Cr
-

Source Victim

Fig. 4.4 Equivalent circuit showing the capacitive coupling between two loops.

Write the equations for currents at nodes 1 and 2.

V L1 V L1
+ + jCrV L1 + jC12 (V L1 VL 2 ) = 0 (11)
RL1 Rg1

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V L 2 V g2 VL 2
+ + j CrVL 2 + j C12 (VL 2 VL 1 ) = 0 (12)
Rg 2 R L2

From (11)

V L1 1 1
VL 2 = + + jCr + j C12 (13)
jC12 Rg1 R L1

From (12)
Vg 2
V L1 j C12 +
Rg 2
VL 2 = (14)
1 1
+ + jCr + j C12
Rg 2 R L1

Equating (13) and (14) it is possible to get an expression for transfer function for
V
capacitive crosstalk ( L1 ) in terms of impedance and capacitance. In a simple case in
Vg 2
which all resistance are matched and equal to R,

V L1 j RC12
= (15)
Vg 2 2C
4 + j 4R( C12 + Cr ) R Cr 1 + 12
2 2 2

Cr

Note that equation (15) is valid only for electrically small circuits. It can be approximated
as

V L1 jRC12
(16)
Vg 2 4

From (16) we can observe that

1) Capacitive crosstalk increases in proportion to the frequency. In time domain, it is the

dVg 2
fast variations in the signal ( ) that would be responsible for the capacitive crosstalk.
dt

2) For a given mutual capacitance C12 and disturbing source Vg2 , the crosstalk increases
with increasing circuit impedance R.

Capacitive crosstalk is present in transformers, switch contacts and in components. The

general circuit presented here can be used to analyze these various situations. In those
cases the conductors represent the carriers of common mode signals and the metal plate

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represent the reference (metal casing, metal cable trunk, reinforcement meshing in
concrete floor and walls).

It is possible to model the capacitive crosstalk as a current injection into the victim circuit
as shown in Fig. 4.5.

Ic R g1 V
R L1 L1
Cr

Fig. 4.5. Modeling capacitive coupling as a current injection into the victim circuit.

From Fig. 5.,

V L1 VL 1
+ + jCrVL 1 I c = 0 (17)
RL1 R g2

Substituting equation (17) in (11), we get Ic = jC12 (VL1 - VL2) where VL1 - VL2 = V is the
voltage difference between the two circuits.

In time domain,

dV
I c = C12 (18)
dt

Methods to reduce capacitive crosstalk:

1) Reduce coupling capacitance C12 . Reduction in C12 can be achieved by decreasing the
surface area of conductors and increasing the distance between them. In parallel
conducting wires subject to crosstalk, keep a separation distance of ten times its diameter,
as a rule-of-thumb. We have seen before that introduction of a ground plane can
significantly reduce C12 . In printed circuit boards conductive planes are used to reduce
capacitive crosstalk between tracks. In equipment that has metal cabinets the cables may
be routed close to the metal panels so that the crosstalk between the common mode
signals of two different cables can be reduced. In metal cable trunks, the cables can be
arranged closely against the trunk walls. Caution! If the ground is noisy or dirty, the
capacitance (C r) between the ground and the circuit will introduce noise signals into the
circuit.

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2) Capacitive crosstalk increases with frequency. Therefore do not use frequencies more
than that absolutely necessary. For example, in digital circuit, do not use pulse rise times
(or fall times) more than necessary.

3) Reduction of capacitive coupling using metallic screen (shielding). For example,

screening in transformers to reduce crosstalk. Screening break up the coupling
capacitance C12 into two capacitance connected in series. Screening is most effective if it
is connected to the reference by a low impedance. Then the injected disturbance current
has a low-impedance path to the ground.
C1s C2s

C12 Ic

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4.3 Inductive coupling

Consider the two parallel current loops of Fig. 3. Now consider only the magnetic field
coupling between the wires. The circuit can be redrawn as follows.

Rg Rg
2 1

+ I I
2 1
Vg L2 L1
2
-
RL R
2 L1

V
L1

Fig. 4.6 Inductive coupling between two electrically small circuits

The mutual inductance M accounts for the coupling through the magnetic fields. The loop
equations can be written as

Rg 1 I 1 + j L1 I 1 + j MI 2 + R L1 I 1 = 0 (19)
R g2 I 2 + j L2 I 2 + j MI 1 + RL 2 I 2 = Vg 2 (20)

From (19),

I2 =
(
I 1 Rg1 + R L1 + jL1 ) (21)
jM

From (20),

Vg 2 jMI 1
I2 = (22)
Rg 2 + R L1 + j L2

V L1
From (21) and (22) we can get the transfer function for inductive crosstalk ( ). For a
Vg 2
simplified case in which all resistance are matched and equal to R, and L1 = L2 = L,

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V L1 j RM
= (23)
(
Vg 2 4 R 2 + j 4RL 2 L2 M 2 )
Equation (23) can be approximated as, (R > L)

V L1 j M
(24)
Vg 2 4R

From (24) we can observe that

1) Inductive crosstalk increases in proportion to frequency.

2) For a given mutual inductance M and disturbing source Vg2 , the inductive crosstalk
increases with decreasing circuit impedance R.

It is possible to model inductive crosstalk by a voltage source in series with the victim
circuit as shown in Fig. 4.7.

L1
- +

Vi
Rg RL
1 1
I1

Fig. 4.7 Modeling inductive coupling as a series voltage source.

From Fig. 4.7,

Rg 1 I 1 + j L1 I 1 + R L1 I 1 Vi = 0 (25)

Comparing (25) and (19),

Vi = j MI 2 (26)

In time domain,

dI 2
Vi = M
dt

Methods to reduce inductive crosstalk:

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1) Make the mutual inductance (M) as low as possible. The value of M decreases as the
area of the loops are reduced and the distance between them are increased. As far as
possible, orient the loops perpendicular to each other so that there is very little coupling
between them. Keep the magnetic field H produced by the transmitting loop as small as
possible. The value of H can be reduced by running the two conductors of the loop very
close to each other.

-I2 +I2 P
Transmitting Receiving
loop loop
rP

D2 D1

d (center to center distance)

Fig. 4.8 Inductive crosstalk between loops [explanation of symbols used in equation
(27)]

Referring to Fig. 4.8, the magnetic field strength at a position P is given by

I2 1 1 I 2 D2
H= for rP >> D2 (27)
2 D2 D2 2 rP 2
r rP +
P 2 2

Twisting the conductor pairs also reduce the H-field.

dI
2) If possible, avoid fast changing currents (reduce ).
dt

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4.4 Crosstalk combinations

In a practical circuit different types of crosstalk may be present simultaneously. We will

consider the case of simultaneous capacitive and inductive crosstalk.

Consider the two current loops over a conducting plane as shown in Fig. 3. Assume that
crosstalk due to both electric and magnetic fields are present. Modeling the capacitive
crosstalk as a current injection into circuit 1 (victim) and modeling the inductive crosstalk
as a voltage source in series with circuit 1, we can represent the crosstalk combination as
follows.

Vi
+ -

+ +

R VN IC VF RF
N
- -

N F

Fig. 4.9 Model for capacitive and inductive crosstalk combination.

dV
In the above figure I c = C12 when V is the voltage difference between the two
dt
dI 2
circuits and Vi = M where I2 is the current in the disturbing circuit. C12 and M are
dt
the coupling capacitance and mutual inductance between the two circuits. For
convenience Rg1 and RL1 are renamed as RN and RF, respectively. Terminal N stands for
the near end (near to the disturbing source voltage Vg2 ) and F stands for the far end.
Also note that the Lenzs Law requires that the polarity of the voltage source Vi,
representing the inductive mutual coupling, should be as shown in Fig. 9, driving a
current from the far end to the near end. It is assumed that the line is electrically small
and the frequencies involved are sufficiently small so that the effects of L and Cr (self-
inductance and capacitance to the ground) can be neglected.

Vi RF
The current through R N = + I c (28)
R N + RF R N + RF
Vi RN
The current through R F = - + I c (29)
R N + RF R N + RF

The near end voltage due to crosstalk,

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RN R N RF
VN = j MI 2 + jC12V (30)
R N + RF R N + RF

The far end voltage due to crosstalk,

RF RN RF
VF = jMI 2 + j C12V (31)
RN + R F RN + RF

Inspecting (30) and (31) we can make the following observations.

1) In general, the voltages due to crosstalk at the near end and far end are different. It is
the inductive component of the crosstalk that is responsible for the difference.

2) The inductive component of the crosstalk produces opposite polarity voltages at the
near end and the far end. Their magnitudes are also different unless the impedance are
matched (RN = RF).

3) The capacitive component of the crosstalk produces voltages of same polarity and
magnitude at both ends, even if the impedance are not matched!

4) For deriving equation (30) and (31), we have neglected any series inductance in the
receptor circuit (see L1 in Fig. 4.7) and any shunt capacitance to the reference (see Cr in
Fig. 4.5).

The reasons for 2) and 3) above can be found from the equivalent circuit of Fig. 9. In
general, we can consider the capacitive-crosstalk currents of different magnitudes and
same polarity flowing from the center of the loop to the ends and inductive-crosstalk
currents of the same magnitude and opposite polarity flowing from the center to the ends
as indicated in Fig. 4.10..

N F

ICN ICF

RN II II RF

Loop center

Fig. 4.10 Directions of capacitive and inductive current components

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If the disturbing circuit has a high impedance, the current I2 is small and the capacitive
crosstalk becomes dominant. If the disturbing circuit has a low impedance, the current I2
is large and the inductive crosstalk becomes dominant.

The near end crosstalk can be a nuisance in the transmission of digital signals, when the
driver and receiver circuits are at the same end of a ribbon cable.

Capacitive and inductive crosstalk with common impedance

In the previous analysis of crosstalk combination we didnt consider the effect of

common impedance. In this section we consider the effect of common impedance also.

When the return conductor or ground plate of the three-conductor system described
before is not a perfect conductor, we have common impedance coupling in addition to
capacitive and inductive couplings. Let the impedance of the common reference be Zc.
Common impedance increases the loop resistance and introduces an additional series
voltage source ZcI2 , when I2 is the current in the disturbing circuit. If the frequencies
involved are not very high, Zc is much smaller than other impedance in the circuit and its
contribution to the total circuit impedance can be neglected. The simplified equivalent
circuit is as follows.

Vi
+ -
+ +

RN VN Ic VF RF

- - + -

ZcI2

Fig. 4.11 Capacitive and inductive crosstalk combination with common impedance

RN RN RF RN
VN = j MI 2 + j C12V + Zc I 2 (32)
RN + RF RN + RF RN + R F
RF R R RF
VF = j MI 2 + N F jC12V Z I (33)
RN + RF R N + RF RN + RF c 2

From (32) and (33) we can see that

1) Common impedance coupling always increases the near end crosstalk. Its effect on the
far end crosstalk depends on the dominant crosstalk mode (inductive or capacitive).

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2) Common impedance crosstalk ensures a minimum crosstalk voltage at low frequencies

and DC (Zc has a resistive part).

Note:
The voltage between the disturbing (generator) and disturbed (receptor) circuits V is
approximately given by

RL
V V (34) Rg I2
Rg + RL g
+
at low frequencies or DC. Vg RL
-
Also,
Vg
I2 (35)
Rg + RL

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