US4075608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-channel data switch
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-01-19
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1996-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A data switch which can rapidly configure and reconfigure multiple channels between computer equipments for digital data transmitted at a rate in excess of 10 megabits per second. The switch includes a switch matrix connected between an input and an output voltage level buffer, a mini computer, and control circuitry. The switch matrix comprises three stages, each containing 256 switching elements which are active integrated circuit elements each having 16 data inputs and one data output. A channel is configured through the switch matrix when one switching element in each stage responds to a control signal to couple one of its data inputs to its data output, over a million different channel configurations being possible. Each switching element is heavily grounded to effectively eliminate cross talk between channels and each data input line of each switching element is provided with an amplifier to improve time fidelity of the switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry J. Koenig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/52; H04Q3/521; G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4004; G06F13/4022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
An apparatus having a plurality of input means and a plurality of output means for rapidly coupling digital information applied to any one of said input means to a selected one of said output means, said apparatus comprising: (a) a matrix means comprising a plurality of consecutively numbered stages wherein the lowest numbered of said stages is the first stage and the highest numbered of said stages is the final stage, each stage including a plurality of switching element means, each of said switching element means having a plurality of element input means and a plurality of element output means, each of said switching element means for coupling digital information applied to one of its said element input means to a selected one of its said element output means in response to a control signal; (b) an input coupling means for coupling said plurality of input means of said apparatus to the element input means of the switching element means of said first stage; (c) an element coupling means for coupling the element output means of the switching element means of each stage except said final stage to the element input means of the switching element means of the next-highest-numbered stage; (d) an output coupling means for coupling said plurality of output means of said apparatus to the element output means of the switching element means of said final stage; (e) a control means coupled to each of said switching element means of said apparatus for providing a control signal to each of said switching element means; (f) instruction means coupled to said control means for instructing said control means to provide a control signal to a selected one of said switching element means in each of said stages for configuring a transmission channel for digital information from any one of said input means of said apparatus to a selected one of said output means of said apparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
318 words
An apparatus having a plurality of input means and a plurality of output means for rapidly coupling digital information applied to any one of said input means to a selected one of said output means, said apparatus comprising: (a) a matrix means comprising a plurality of consecutively numbered stages wherein the lowest numbered of said stages is the first stage and the highest numbered of said stages is the final stage, each stage including a plurality of switching element means, each of said switching element means having a plurality of element input means and a plurality of element output means, each of said switching element means for coupling digital information applied to one of its said element input means to a selected one of its said element output means in response to a control signal; (b) an input coupling means for coupling said plurality of input means of said apparatus to the element input means of the switching element means of said first stage; (c) an element coupling means for coupling the element output means of the switching element means of each stage except said final stage to the element input means of the switching element means of the next-highest-numbered stage; (d) an output coupling means for coupling said plurality of output means of said apparatus to the element output means of the switching element means of said final stage; (e) a control means coupled to each of said switching element means of said apparatus for providing a control signal to each of said switching element means; (f) instruction means coupled to said control means for instructing said control means to provide a control signal to a selected one of said switching element means in each of said stages for configuring a transmission channel for digital information from any one of said input means of said apparatus to a selected one of said output means of said apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said switching element means of said apparatus is provided with a source terminal connected to a voltage source and a ground terminal connected to a substantial ground means for providing a current path with very low resistance between the ground terminals of any two of said switching element means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein any two switching elements in adjacent-numbered stages that are coupled together by means of said element coupling means are further coupled by a low resistance conducting means connected between their respective ground terminals for providing a current path with very low resistance between the said respective ground terminals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the said switching elements of each stage are mechanically attached to one of a plurality of mounting means, all of said mounting means being mechanically attached to a chassis means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said chassis means is provided with a central ground means and wherein each of said mounting means provides a ground coupling means for coupling the ground terminal of each of its attached switching element means to said central ground means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said switching element means of said apparatus is an active high speed integrated circuit and each of said mounting means is a printed circuit board removably attached to said chassis means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said central ground means is a flat sheet of conducting material and wherein the ground coupling means provided by each mounting means is a flat strip of conducting material coupled to the ground terminal of each switching element means attached to each mounting means, said strip physically contacting said central ground plane when said mounting means is attached to said chassis means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said element input means of each of said switching element means of said apparatus contains amplification means for improving the time fidelity of digital pulses transmitted through each of said element input means by sharpening said digital pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein there are three of said stages, each stage having an equal number of said switching element means and each of said switching element means of said apparatus having an equal number of element input means and one element output means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein digital information simultaneously applied to a number of said input means is simultaneously coupled to an equal number of said output means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein there are in excess of 200 of said input means and of said output means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein digital information applied to each of said input means is in serial form transmitted at a rate in excess of 10 megabits per second.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |