Abstract: A communications system may be characterized by a system error variance because the error variance provides an indication of signal corruption in the system. By strategically adding a secondary sensor to the communications system, system characteristics may be altered so that the system error variance is reduced. A system and method are presented, wherein a secondary sensor is configured to receive a disturbance effect and produce a filtered slave signal as a function of the disturbance effect. The filtered slave signal is configured to alter the characteristics of the communications system and thereby reduce system error variance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing crosstalk in a telecommunication system. Broadly, the present invention utilizes a common mode signal to obtain additional information that can be used to better approximate the transmitted signal (by approximating and canceling crosstalk or otherwise). In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a modem is provided having improved crosstalk cancellation circuitry for canceling crosstalk received on a local loop (or otherwise estimating the remotely transmitted signal) carrying modem communications. The modem includes a first input for receiving a signal carried on the local loop and a second input for receiving a signal obtained from the common mode. The modem further includes processing circuitry configured to either reduce crosstalk present in the signal carried on the local loop, or to otherwise closely approximate the remotely transmitted signal.