Crosstalk suppression methods in coupled transmission lines: a review
DOI: 10.21293/1818-0442-2026-29-2-24-38
Abstract: Relevance. The rapid development of high-speed electronics and increasing printed circuit board (PCB) packaging density have made crosstalk one of the major obstacles to maintaining signal transmission quality. Purpose of the study. The study aims to systematize and review modern structural approaches to minimizing crosstalk in microstrip transmission lines in order to identify the most effective design strategies. Methods. The study employs methods of scientific literature analysis, comparative analysis of the physical mechanisms underlying crosstalk suppression, and quantitative evaluation of the characteristics of various topological solutions. Scientific novelty. A generalized classification of crosstalk mitigation techniques is proposed based on the underlying physical suppression mechanism, including compensation of differences in coupling coefficients, energy diversion to a reference conductor, and local correction of per-unit-length parameters. The effectiveness of hybrid and advanced high-technology structures is also analyzed. Results. It is demonstrated that classical routing guidelines become less effective at frequencies above 10 GHz, whereas innovative solutions based on periodic structures and metasurfaces can provide crosstalk suppression of up to -50 dB. Key regularities governing the effects of defects in the reference layer and passive conductors on characteristic impedance and modal phase velocities are identified, and the applicability limits of each of the reviewed methods are established. Practical significance. The review results serve as a technical guide for microwave hardware design engineers, enabling an informed selection of a specific interconnect topology depending on the required level of electromagnetic interference immunity, available PCB area, and manufacturing process complexity.
Keywords: crosstalk, coupled transmission lines, printed circuit boards, signal integrity, protective conductor, defected ground structures, metamaterials, metasurfaces
Funding: This work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Project No. FEWM-2026-0013).
For citation:
Murmanskiy M. S., Tomskih A. E., Zhechev E. S., Surovtsev R. S., Skornyakov I. A. Crosstalk suppression methods in coupled transmission lines: a review. Doklady Tomskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta sistem upravleniya i radioelektroniki, 2026, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 24–38. DOI: 10.21293/1818-0442-2026-29-2-24-38
Authors and copyright holders:
- Murmanskiy M. S. , Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
- Tomskih A. E. , Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
- Zhechev E. S. , Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
- Surovtsev R. S. , Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
- Skornyakov I. A. , Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
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