Patent ID: 6539201
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A high-capacity switch matrix for processing data from a plurality of transmission beams wherein each of the transmission beams is adapted to carry an active communication signal in a plurality of sub-bands, the switch matrix comprising:a first switch layer including a first switch having a plurality of input and output ports, each of said first switch input ports connected to receive one of said plurality of input transmission beams and the total number of said input ports being greater than or equal to the plurality of input transmission beams; a plurality of demodulators, each capable of demodulating a sub-band from said active communication signals of said input transmission beams; and a second switch layer connected between said first switch layer and said demodulators, said second switch layer including a plurality of second switches arranged in groups of unequal numbers of switches each of said groups being connected to a respective output port of said first switch, at least one of said groups comprising a plurality of second switches equal to the number of frequency sub-bands associated with said input transmission beams, each of said second switches having a plurality of input and output ports each of said second switch input ports being connected to one of said first switch output ports and each of said second switch output ports being connected to one of said plurality of demodulators such that at least one input transmission beam of said first switch is connected to a variable number of demodulators through said plurality of second switches.