• Near-end Crosstalk (NEXT)
• Far-end Crosstalk (FEXT)
• Power Sum Near-end Crosstalk (PSNEXT)

Near-end crosstalk (NEXT) is computed as the ratio of voltage amplitude between the test signal and the crosstalk signal when measured from the same end of the link. This difference is expressed in a negative value of decibels (dB). Low negative numbers indicate more noise, just as low negative temperatures indicate more heat. By tradition, cable testers do not show the minus sign indicating the negative NEXT values. A NEXT reading of 30 dB (which actually indicates -30 dB) indicates less NEXT noise and a better cable than does a NEXT reading of 10 dB.

NEXT needs to be measured from each pair to each other pair in a UTP link, and from both ends of the link. To shorten test times, some cable test instruments allow the user to test the NEXT performance of a link by using larger frequency step sizes than specified by the TIA/EIA standard. The resulting measurements may not comply with TIA/EIA-568-B, and may overlook link faults. To verify proper link performance, NEXT should be measured from both ends of the link with a high-quality test instrument. This is also a requirement for complete compliance with high-speed cable specifications.

Due to attenuation, crosstalk occurring further away from the transmitter creates less noise on a cable than NEXT. This is called far-end crosstalk, or FEXT. The noise caused by FEXT still travels back to the source, but it is attenuated as it returns. Thus, FEXT is not as significant a problem as NEXT.

Power Sum NEXT (PSNEXT) measures the cumulative effect of NEXT from all wire pairs in the cable. PSNEXT is computed for each wire pair based on the NEXT effects of the other three pairs. The combined effect of crosstalk from multiple simultaneous transmission sources can be very detrimental to the signal. TIA/EIA-568-B certification now requires this PSNEXT test.

Some Ethernet standards such as 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX receive data from only one wire pair in each direction. However, for newer technologies such as 1000BASE-T that receive data simultaneously from multiple pairs in the same direction, power sum measurements are very important tests.

Web Links Power Sum NEXT (PSNEXT) http://www.cabletesting.com/CableTesting/ Testing/Definitions/ Definitions_ Power+Sum+NEXT.htm