Patent ID: 6087958
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
An apparatus for switching electrical signals, comprising:a. a plurality of signal inputs;b. a primary stage switching network, said primary stage including a first bank of primary switching matrices and a second bank of primary switching matrices, said primary switching matrices including respective primary matrix inputs and primary matrix outputs;c. means for distributively interconnecting each of said signal inputs both to a respective matrix input in said upper bank and to a respective matrix input in said lower bank;d. a secondary stage switching network, said secondary stage including a first bank of secondary switching matrices and a second bank of secondary switching matrices, said secondary switching matrices including respective secondary matrix inputs and secondary matrix outputs;e. first means for interconnecting outputs of said matrices in said first bank of said primary stage to said matrix inputs in said first bank of said secondary stage and for interconnecting outputs of said matrices in said second bank of said primary stage to said matrix inputs in said second bank of said secondary stage;f. a tertiary stage switching network, said tertiary stage including a first bank of tertiary switching matrices and second bank of tertiary switching matrices, said tertiary switching matrices including respective tertiary matrix inputs and tertiary matrix outputs;g. second means for interconnecting outputs of said matrices in said first bank of said secondary stage to said matrix inputs in said first bank of said tertiary stage, and for interconnecting outputs of said matrices in said second bank of said secondary stage to said matrix inputs in said second bank of said tertiary stage;h. a plurality of signal outputs;i. means for distributively interconnecting each of said respective matrix switching outputs in said first and second tertiary banks to a respective said signal output; andj. said first means for interconnecting outputs uses non-repetitive, distributive connections both between said primary and secondary matrices in said first bank, and between said primary and secondary matrices in said second bank.