Methods and systems for compensating for alien crosstalk between connectors

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors. Specifically, the methods and systems relate to isolation and compensation techniques for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors for use with high-speed data cabling. A frame can be configured to receive a number of connectors. Shield structures may be positioned to isolate at least a subset of the connectors from one another. The connectors can be positioned to move at least a subset of the connectors away from alignment with a common plane. A signal compensator may be configured to adjust a data signal to compensate for alien crosstalk. The connectors are configured to efficiently and accurately propagate high-speed data signals by, among other functions, minimizing alien crosstalk.

1 . A method of compensating for crosstalk associated with a connector, comprising: 
 generating a first signal compensator configured to compensate for intra-connector crosstalk; and    generating a second signal compensator configured to compensate for alien crosstalk from a number of adjacent connectors.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining said second signal compensator, said determining comprising: 
 transmitting a test signal through at least one disturber pair of at least one of said number of adjacent connectors;    obtaining at least one measurement of alien crosstalk induced by said test signal on a victim pair of said connector; and    determining said second signal compensator based on said at least one measurement.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 repeating said transmitting, said obtaining, and said determining for each of said number of adjacent connectors.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 repeating said transmitting, said obtaining, and said determining for each said disturber pair of said at least one of said number of adjacent connectors.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second signal compensator is configured to compensate for the alien crosstalk from each of said number of adjacent connectors.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second signal compensator is generated by conductive elements of a circuit board.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second signal compensator is generated by both inductive and capacitive coupling.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second signal compensator is generated by digital signal processing.  
   
   
       9 . A method of determining a signal compensator for compensating alien crosstalk: 
 transmitting a test signal along a disturber pair of a disturber connector, wherein said disturber connector is positioned adjacent to a victim connector;    obtaining at least one measurement of alien crosstalk induced by said test signal on a victim pair associated with said victim connector; and    determining said signal compensator based on said at least one measurement.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising repeating said transmitting and said obtaining for each said disturber pair of said disturber connector, wherein said determining comprises aggregating said at least one measurement to determine said signal compensator.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said signal compensator represents a compensation for the aggregate alien crosstalk induced by said disturber connector.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising repeating said transmitting and said obtaining for each said disturber connector positioned adjacent to said victim connector to determine a total signal compensator.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said total signal compensator represents a compensation for the aggregate alien crosstalk induced by each said disturber connector positioned adjacent to said victim connector.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said adjacent disturber connectors comprise each said disturber connector within approximately two inches of said victim connector.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising repeating said transmitting and said obtaining for each said disturber pair of each said disturber connector positioned adjacent to said victim jack to determine a total signal compensator.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said total signal compensator represents a compensation for the aggregate alien crosstalk induced by each said disturber pair of each said disturber connector positioned adjacent to said victim connector.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising simulating at least a part of a data network.  
   
   
       18 . A system for compensating for crosstalk of a connector, comprising: 
 a first signal compensator configured to compensate for intra-connector crosstalk; and    a second signal compensator configured to compensate for alien crosstalk from a number of adjacent connectors.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said number of adjacent connectors includes a number of disturber pairs, said second signal compensator being configured to compensate for at least one of said number of disturber pairs.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said second signal compensator is configured to compensate for alien crosstalk generated by each of said number of adjacent connectors.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said second signal compensator comprises conductive elements of a circuit board, said conductive elements being configured to provide a signal configured to compensate for said alien crosstalk.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said second signal compensator is configured to produce both inductive and capacitive coupling signals to compensate for said alien crosstalk.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said second signal compensator comprises a digital signal processor configured to generate a signal configured to compensate for said alien crosstalk.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a test assembly configured to measure said alien crosstalk induced by said number of adjacent connectors.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a number of shield structures separating each of said number of adjacent connectors from said connector.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said number of adjacent connectors includes any connector within approximately two inches of said connector.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said connector is oriented at a different angle than each of said number of adjacent connectors.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said connector is staggered at a different depth in relation to each of said number of adjacent connectors.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said connector is inverted in relation to each of said number of adjacent connectors.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said connector is offset in relation to each of said number of adjacent connectors.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said connector shares a common orthogonal plane with no more than one of said number of adjacent connectors.