Switching networks, e.g. space-division concentrators

Claim 1

A switching network comprising a matrix of cross-point switches disposed in a pattern at selected ones of the cross-points in an array of mutually orthogonal inlets and outlets; wherein the pattern of selected cross-points is built up from a rectangular array of basic layouts each comprising eight cross-point switches distributed among the sixteen cross-points formed by a group of four consecutive inlets crossing a row of four consecutive outlets, either the group of inlets or the row of outlets being disposed in four consecutively numbered lines; the basic layouts being of two types: a first type having its switches at the end cross-points of its odd numbered lines and at the inner cross-points of its even numbered lines, and a second type having its switches at its other cross-points; basic layouts of both types being disposed in a pattern over the array in such a manner that all the cross-point switches are arranged in a single matrix, the pattern of basic layout types being a binary pattern such that the matrix has a first line of alternating types of layout, a second line of alternating pairs of layout types and so on, each n-th line having at least one set of 2 n-1 consecutive layouts of the same type, said lines in which the layouts are disposed being parallel to said four consecutively numbered lines within the layouts.