A circuit board has a first component interface configured to connect to a first circuit board component, a second component interface configured to connect to a second circuit board component, a differential signal pair electrically connecting the first component interface to the second component interface, and a signal return path configured to operate as a signal return pathway for the differential signal pair. The signal return path includes first conductive material which is in electrical communication with the first component interface, second conductive material which is in electrical communication with the second component interface, and a dielectric which provides direct current separation between the first and second conductive material. Such a circuit board may alleviate the need for DC blocking capacitors along the differential pair, and along other differential pairs when the circuit board has multiple differential pairs connecting the first and second component interfaces.