Parameter for near end crosstalk prediction in twisted pair cables

Crosstalk is a fundamental limiting factor in communication systems. The paper determines crosstalk parameter that can be used for fast prediction of near end crosstalk (NEXT) in unshielded twisted pair cables. The paper evaluates NEXT using standard simple and advanced models with the empirical parameter provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The results obtained showed that the models under predict the NEXT using the ANSI parameter. The evaluation of the models with the average crosstalk parameters of each cable also indicates that they under predict the NEXT. An improved parameter is proposed and validated using NEXT measurements of three unshielded twisted pair cables from different manufacturers. The presented evaluation and modeling method is straight forward and can therefore, be applied to other cable types as needed. The tool can also be useful to cable engineers investigating crosstalk in the design of data communication systems.