Abstract: A technique is presented for minimizing crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs in communications. A backplane embodiment wherein the backplane includes a plurality of differential signal line pairs, is presented. A first differential signal line pair can include a first differential signal line and a second differential signal line. The backplane can have the first differential signal line connected between first and second vias. The second differential signal line can be connected between third and fourth vias. A third signal line can be connected between fifth and sixth vias. The first via can be spatially adjacent to the fifth via such that a signal on the third signal line is coupled to the first differential signal line and the fourth via can be spatially located adjacent to the sixth via such that a signal on the third signal line is coupled to the second differential signal line.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a technique of and layout for reducing, minimizing and/or eliminating crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs in communications systems employing differential signaling. In one embodiment, present invention is a backplane for a communications system, wherein the backplane includes a plurality of differential signal line pairs, including a first differential signal line pair having a first differential signal line and a second differential signal line. Each differential signal line pair provides a communications path for a differential signal pair including a first signal and a second signal wherein the first and second signals are differential signals. The backplane, in this aspect of the present invention, a first differential signal line is connected between the first and second vias to provide a communications path for the first signal of a first differential signal pair.