Abstract: An apparatus for switching microwave signals includes a plurality of input lines, a plurality of output lines; and a plurality of thyristors. Each thyristor has a lower conducting surface that is electrically connected to one of the input lines and an upper conducting surface that is electrically connected to one of the output lines. A selected thyristor transmits a microwave signal between a selected input line and a selected output line in an ON state and blocks the microwave signal between the selected input line and the selected output line in an OFF state.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching microwave signals includes a plurality of input lines, a plurality of output lines; and a plurality of thyristor. Each thyristor has a lower conducting surface that is electrically connected to one of the input lines and an upper conducting surface that is electrically connected to one of the output lines. A selected thyristor transmits a microwave signal between a selected input line and a selected output line in an ON state and blocks the microwave signal between the selected input line and the selected output line in an OFF state.

Abstract: A thyristor for switching microwave signals includes semiconductor layers disposed on a substrate. A first surface of the thyristor defines an anode, and a second surface of the thyristor defines a cathode. The semiconductor layers include at least one semi-insulating layer. The thyristor transmits a microwave signal between the anode and the cathode in an ON state and blocks the microwave signal between the anode and the cathode in an OFF state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing crosstalk and dispersion in a crosspoint monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) switch array operating in a range between DC and microwave frequencies. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the crosspoint MMIC switch array includes a dielectric stack, a substrate, a first ground plane, a plurality of thyristor switches, a plurality of signal transmission lines arranged in rows; and a plurality of signal transmission lines arranged in columns. The plurality of signal transmission lines arranged in columns intersect the plurality of signal transmission lines arranged in rows at a plurality of intersection points. Each of the plurality of thyristor switches is associated with one of the plurality of intersection points. Each of the plurality of thyristor switches is in electrical contact with the signal transmission lines that intersect at the associated intersection point.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for communicating multimedia information. Exemplary embodiments provide a Video-to-Optical apparatus (“V2O”) that can be used over either a private or a public optical network and transfers multimedia information in SONET/SDH frame format. The V2O uses SONET/SDH frames to transmit high-resolution stereoscopic images and other multimedia information through an optical network with high efficiency, high accuracy and low latency. The V2O interfaces with a visualization graphics-server on one side and the optical network on the other. The V2O apparatus can be placed in an optical network that offers an end-to-end OC 3 or higher rate circuit. A plurality of multimedia visualization centers can be coupled to the optical network.

Abstract: A thyristor for switching microwave signals includes semiconductor layers disposed on a substrate. A first surface of the thyristor defines an anode, and a second surface of the thyristor defines a cathode. The semiconductor layers include at least one semi-insulating layer. The thyristor transmits a microwave signal between the anode and the cathode in an ON state and blocks the microwave signal between the anode and the cathode in an OFF state.

Abstract: The present invention combines several features to create a novel type of optical telecommunications switching component using microwave waveguides as opposed to the usual methods employing light deflection or digital signal processing. Some of the components of the device include: (1) an optical crossconnect (OXC) which allows any combination of wavelengths to be added or dropped from an element to an optical network, (2) an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) which allows any wavelength to be converted to any other, (3) a microwave crossbar switch array optimized for this purpose, and (4) a means for reshaping the exiting signal from the microwave crosspoint switch array without regard to signal format and without need for complex and expensive digital signal processing. The minimal architecture for this functionality is shown to be three N×N microwave crossbar switch arrays.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching microwave signals includes a plurality of input lines, a plurality of output lines; and a plurality of thyristors. Each thyristor has a lower conducting surface that is electrically connected to one of the input lines and an upper conducting surface that is electrically connected to one of the output lines. A selected thyristor transmits a microwave signal between a selected input line and a selected output line in an ON state and blocks the microwave signal between the selected input line and the selected output line in an OFF state.