US3781484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Path selection technique for electronic switching network
Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-23
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A switching circuit using crosspoint switching elements including a four terminal pnpn semiconductor device such as a thyristor, a cathode terminal for connection to an information signal line, an anode terminal for connection to another signal line and P(-) and P(+) terminals for receiving control signals to interconnect the information signal lines through the crosspoint switching element, and means for biasing the cathode terminal negative with respect to ground and for biasing the anode terminal at ground potential, thereby eliminating extra voltage sources required in such prior art crosspoint switching elements and decreasing the amount of the normally required gate current.
Inventors
- 👤 M Macrander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/52; H04Q3/521
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
In a switching circuit including a plurality of crosspoint switching elements for selectively interconnecting respective information signal lines, each of said crosspoint switching elements having a four terminal semiconductor device and including a terminal (K) for connection to one of said information signal lines, a terminal (A) for connection to another of said information signal lines, and terminals P(-) and P(+)) for receiving control signals for selection of respective crosspoint switching elements to interconnect the associated information signal lines, the improvement comprising: first circuit means for coupling said terminals (K) of each of said crosspoint switching elements to a negative potential with respect to a reference ground potential, second circuit means for selectively coupling the terminals (A) of selected crosspoint switching elements to approximately said reference ground potential, and means for uniquely selecting one of said crosspoint switching elements by coupling a control signal to said terminals (P(-) and P(+)) thereof to thereby establish a unique interconnection between said signal lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a switching circuit including a plurality of crosspoint switching elements for selectively interconnecting respective information signal lines, each of said crosspoint switching elements having a four terminal semiconductor device and including a terminal (K) for connection to one of said information signal lines, a terminal (A) for connection to another of said information signal lines, and terminals P(-) and P(+)) for receiving control signals for selection of respective crosspoint switching elements to interconnect the associated information signal lines, the improvement comprising: first circuit means for coupling said terminals (K) of each of said crosspoint switching elements to a negative potential with respect to a reference ground potential, second circuit means for selectively coupling the terminals (A) of selected crosspoint switching elements to approximately said reference ground potential, and means for uniquely selecting one of said crosspoint switching elements by coupling a control signal to said terminals (P(-) and P(+)) thereof to thereby establish a unique interconnection between said signal lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said second circuit means includes means for selectively coupling said selected terminals (A) to approximately said reference ground potential during selection of said crosspoint switching elements and immediately prior to operation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement of claim 2, wherein said first circuit means includes means for selectively coupling the terminals (K) of said selected crosspoint switching elements to substantially the same reference ground potential as said terminals (A) following operation of said selected crosspoint switching elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said plurality of crosspoint switching elements comprises at least two interconnected arrays thereof, and further including means for selecting at least one crosspoint switching element in each array, thereby providing an information signal line path therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said first circuit means includes means for coupling said terminals (K) to the negative end of a -48 volt source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a plural stage cross-point switching mAtrix, each stage including a pnpn semi-conductor device having a cathode terminal for connection to an information signal line and an anode terminal for connection to another information signal line, and a semiconductor gating element having P(-) and P(+) terminals for receiving control signals for selective operation of said pnpn semiconductor element to interconnect said information signal lines, the improvement comprising: first circuit means for coupling said cathode terminal to a negative potential with respect to a reference ground potential level; second circuit means for coupling said anode terminal to approximately said reference ground potential level, and control means coupled to said P(-) and P(+) terminals of each said semiconductor device for uniquely selecting said gating element by providing simultaneous control signals thereto to establish a unique interconnection between said signal lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a plural stage cross-point switching mAtrix, each stage including a pnpn semi-conductor device having a cathode terminal for connection to an information signal line and an anode terminal for connection to another information signal line, and a semiconductor gating element having P(-) and P(+) terminals for receiving control signals for selective operation of said pnpn semiconductor element to interconnect said information signal lines, the improvement comprising: first circuit means for coupling said cathode terminal to a negative potential with respect to a reference ground potential level; second circuit means for coupling said anode terminal to approximately said reference ground potential level, and control means coupled to said P(-) and P(+) terminals of each said semiconductor device for uniquely selecting said gating element by providing simultaneous control signals thereto to establish a unique interconnection between said signal lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 6, wherein said second circuit means includes means for selectively coupling said anode terminal to approximately said reference ground potential level during selection and immediately prior to operation of said pnpn semiconductor element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement of claim 7, wherein said first circuit means includes means for selectively coupling said cathode terminal to substantially the same reference ground potential as said anode terminal following operation of said pnpn semiconductor element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said first circuit means includes means for coupling said cathode terminal to the negative end of a -48 volt source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |