Method of Compensating for Crosstalk

Abstract

A network cable jack includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for balancing both inductive and capacitive coupling. Using a PCB allows compact trace paths to be formed without significantly increasing manufacturing costs. By including on each trace path two distinct inductance zones separated by a neutral zone, significant gains in degrees of freedom are achieved for designing PCB trace patterns in which a pair of inductive coupling zones jointly offset the inductive coupling caused by a specification plug and the jack contacts, both in magnitude and phase angle. Further, using distinct inductance zones offers more freedom regarding the placement of capacitive plates for use in capacitance balancing as well as the placement of terminals and insulation displacement contacts. Although the magnitude of a capacitive coupling is determined by the length of the capacitor plates parallel to current carrying traces, the approach allows capacitive and inductive coupling to be balanced independently.

1 . A method for reducing crosstalk between a plurality of conductors in a network cable, the method comprising:
 off-setting in magnitude and phase crosstalk between conductors within a plug and conductors within a jack connector using first, second, third, and fourth electrical traces upon a printed circuit board (PCB) within the jack connector, said first, second, third, and fourth electrical traces passing through a compensation zone and a crosstalk zone;   providing inductive couplings between the second and third electrical traces and between the first and fourth electrical traces in the compensation zone;   providing inductive couplings between the second and fourth electrical traces and between the first and third electrical traces in the crosstalk zone; and   providing between said compensation zone and said crosstalk zone a neutral zone that is substantially void of any intentionally introduced inductive coupling between adjacent traces.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing inductive couplings between traces comprises running said traces closely together so as to induce inductive coupling between said traces. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising separating the network cable conductors within the jack connector with an electrically conductive divider to reduce crosstalk between the electrical conductors.