Crossover switch
Encyclopedia
In electronics
, a crossover switch or matrix switch is a switch
connecting multiple inputs to multiple outputs using complex array matrices designed to switch any one input path to any one (or more) output path(s). There are blocking and non-blocking types of cross-over switches.
These switches can be mechanical Microelectromechanical systems
, electrical, or optical non-linear optics, and are used in electronics and fiber optic circuits, as well as some optical computers. A banyan switch
is one type of cross-over switch. Their complexity depends on the topology of the individual switches in a switch matrix (how wide it is by how many 'plies' or layers of switches it takes), to implement your desired crossover logic.
Typical crossover matrices follow the formula: an N×N Banyan switch uses (N/2) log N elements.
Other formulas are used for differing number of cross-over layers and scaling is possible, but becomes very large and complex with large N×N arrays. CAD
and AI
can be used to take the drudgery out of these designs.
The switches are measured by how many stages, and how many up/down sorters and crosspoints. Switches often have buffers built in to speed up switching speeds.
A typical switch may have a 2×2 and 4×4 down sorter, followed by an 8×8 up sorter, followed by a 2×2 crosspoint Banyan switch
network, resulting in a 3 level sorting for a 3 stage banyan network switch.
The future is moving to larger arrays of inputs and outputs needed in a very small space. See Wafer fabrication
and VLA
's.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
, a crossover switch or matrix switch is a switch
Switch
In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another....
connecting multiple inputs to multiple outputs using complex array matrices designed to switch any one input path to any one (or more) output path(s). There are blocking and non-blocking types of cross-over switches.
These switches can be mechanical Microelectromechanical systems
Microelectromechanical systems
Microelectromechanical systems is the technology of very small mechanical devices driven by electricity; it merges at the nano-scale into nanoelectromechanical systems and nanotechnology...
, electrical, or optical non-linear optics, and are used in electronics and fiber optic circuits, as well as some optical computers. A banyan switch
Banyan switch
In electronics, a banyan switch is a complex crossover switch used in electrical or optical switches.It is named for its resemblance to the roots of the banyan tree which cross over in complex patterns. Logical banyan switches are used in logic or signal pathways to crossover switching of signals...
is one type of cross-over switch. Their complexity depends on the topology of the individual switches in a switch matrix (how wide it is by how many 'plies' or layers of switches it takes), to implement your desired crossover logic.
Typical crossover matrices follow the formula: an N×N Banyan switch uses (N/2) log N elements.
Other formulas are used for differing number of cross-over layers and scaling is possible, but becomes very large and complex with large N×N arrays. CAD
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
and AI
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
can be used to take the drudgery out of these designs.
The switches are measured by how many stages, and how many up/down sorters and crosspoints. Switches often have buffers built in to speed up switching speeds.
A typical switch may have a 2×2 and 4×4 down sorter, followed by an 8×8 up sorter, followed by a 2×2 crosspoint Banyan switch
Banyan switch
In electronics, a banyan switch is a complex crossover switch used in electrical or optical switches.It is named for its resemblance to the roots of the banyan tree which cross over in complex patterns. Logical banyan switches are used in logic or signal pathways to crossover switching of signals...
network, resulting in a 3 level sorting for a 3 stage banyan network switch.
The future is moving to larger arrays of inputs and outputs needed in a very small space. See Wafer fabrication
Wafer fabrication
Wafer fabrication is a procedure composed of many repeated sequential processes to produce complete electrical or photonic circuits. Examples include production of radio frequency amplifiers, LEDs, optical computer components, and CPUs for computers...
and VLA
VLA
VLA may refer to:Transport* RUM-139 VL-ASROC, a vertically-launched anti-submarine rocket* Very Light Aircraft, a category of aircraft, per the European EASA CS-VLA specificationsGovernment Agencies...
's.
See also
- Crossbar switchCrossbar switchIn electronics, a crossbar switch is a switch connecting multiple inputs to multiple outputs in a matrix manner....
- Nonblocking minimal spanning switchNonblocking minimal spanning switchA nonblocking minimal spanning switch is a device that can connect N inputs to N outputs in any combination. The most familiar use of switches of this type is in a telephone exchange. The term "non-blocking" means that if it is not defective, it can always make the connection...
- Clos SwitchClos networkIn the field of telecommunications, a Clos network is a kind of multistage circuit switching network, first formalized by Charles Clos in 1953, which represents a theoretical idealization of practical multi-stage telephone switching systems. Clos networks are required when the physical circuit...