Patent ID: 7026822

Claim:
A high voltage switching matrix, comprising: a plurality m of voltage/current inputs including at least one high voltage input, at least one low voltage input, and a return; respective high and low voltage input switches for each high voltage input and each low voltage input; a plurality n of output ports; and a single output port input switch and a single output port return switch for each output port, wherein said high and low voltage input switches are connected to each of said output port input switches, wherein said at least one high voltage input is connected to a respective said output port by at least said high voltage input switch and one of said output port input switches; wherein said at least one low voltage input is connected to a respective said output port by at least said low voltage input switch and one of said output port input switches; and wherein said return is connected to a respective said output port by said output port return switch, and wherein said output port return switches are directly connected to the return to thereby reduce a total required number N of said switches from N=m×n to N=(m−1)+2n.