Patent ID: 7684427

Claim:
A switching matrix comprising: a plurality of inputs; a plurality of outputs; a plurality of switching elements respectively connected between said inputs and said outputs, each switching element comprising a single state-changing component that produces a connection or disconnection, dependent on a switching state of the state-changing component, between one of said inputs and one of said outputs; a first plurality of control units connected to one or more of said plurality of switching elements for temporarily supplying respective first control signals thereto; a second plurality of control units connected to one or more of said plurality of switching elements for temporarily supplying respective second control signals thereto; and each of said switching elements comprising a first control signal path connected between a control unit in said first plurality of control units and connected to said state-changing component, and a second control signal path connected between a control unit in said second plurality of control units and said state-changing component, said first control signal path comprising a first control connection, connected to a first electronic component and a capacitor connected in series, and said second control signal path comprising a second control connection connected to a second electronic component; said first and second electronic components and said capacitor in each switching element being configured to cause said state changing component to change state to produce said connection only when that switching element has been supplied with both of said first and second control signals, and to maintain said connection for a predetermined time duration after both of said first and second control signals are no longer being supplied; and said first electronic component being a first electrical blocking element connected between said capacitor and said first control connection and said second electronic component being a second electrical blocking element connected between said capacitor and said second control connection, said first and second blocking elements permitting current flow therethrough only when said first control signal is present at said first control connection, and when said second control signal is present at said second control connection.