Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A digital switcher comprising: a plurality of switcher inputs arranged in n groups each comprising plural inputs; a plurality of switcher outputs arranged in m groups each comprising plural outputs; and a plurality of n . m modules in an array of n rows by m columns coupling the input groups and the output groups, each module including a primary switching unit (A1) for selectively coupling the module inputs to individual ones of the module outputs; characterised in that at least each module other than those in the first row further comprises a plurality of individually-controllable two-input selector switches (B1), one for each module output, one input of each switch being coupled to an associated output of the primary switching unit of the same module and the other input of each switch being coupled to an associated output of a module in the preceding row.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
A digital switcher according to claim 1, wherein said selector switches are regenerative selector switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A digital switcher according to claim 2, wherein the termination impedances of all said selector switch inputs are equal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A digital switcher according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the source impedances of all said selector switch outputs are equal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A digital switcher according to any preceding claim, comprising: an amplifier (21) for amplifying signals at each said switcher input, each amplifier comprising a plurality of outputs connected in parallel to said module inputs in the corresponding row of the array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A digital switcher according to any preceding claim, wherein said primary switching units are regenerative.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
A digital switcher comprising: a plurality of inputs to said switcher; a plurality of outputs from said switcher, and means for routing signals from each of said switcher inputs to any selected switcher output, said routing means comprising: an array of modules connected in rows and columns, each said module comprising: a primary switching unit (p.s.u.) (A1) comprising inputs, outputs and means for regenerating and selectively routing signals to any of said p.s.u. outputs from any of said p.s.u. inputs, said p.s.u. inputs being connected to inputs of said module, and a secondary switching unit (B1) comprising a plurality of individually-controllable, regenerative, two-input, selector switches, outputs of said selector switches being connected to outputs of said module, each selector switch having an input connected to an output of the p.s.u. in the same module and, apart from selector switches in the first row of modules, having a further input connected to an associated module output of the preceding row, a respective group of said switcher inputs being coupled in parallel to the inputs of modules in each row, and respective groups of said switcher outputs being coupled to outputs of modules in said last row.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
185 words
A digital switcher comprising an array of modules arranged in rows and columns, each module comprising a primary switching unit having inputs and outputs and means for connecting its outputs to selected ones of its inputs, the inputs of each of the primary switching units of each row of modules being connected in parallel to a respective group of the switcher inputs, and a respective group of the switcher outputs being derived from the outputs of the primary switching units of modules in each column; characterised by a secondary switching unit in at least each module other than those in the first row and comprising a plurality of individually controllable regenerative switches each with an output, connected to a module output, and two inputs; the switch inputs respectively being connected to an output from the primary switching unit in the same module and to an associated output of a module in the preceding row, and having means for connecting a selected switch input to the switch output; the switcher outputs being connected respectively to the switch outputs of the last row of secondary switching units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The use of a digital switcher in accordance with any preceding claim to switch digital signals at a data rate of greater than 10MHz.