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 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 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: Integrated optical crossbar switching method and apparatus preferably includes structure and/or function whereby switching and addressing circuitry is disposed on a substrate. An insulating layer is disposed on the substrate and on the switching and addressing circuitry. A polycrystalline ferroelectric layer is disposed on the insulating layer. The polycrystalline ferroelectric layer includes a first plurality of optical signal carriers and a second plurality of optical signal carriers, each disposed to receive an optical signal from at least one of the first plurality of optical signal carriers. A plurality of optical switching elements is disposed to (i) receive control and addressing signals from said switching and addressing circuitry, and (ii) to switch an optical signal from one of said first plurality of optical signal carriers to at least one of said second plurality of optical signal carriers.

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: Switching apparatus and method in an array having plural inputs and plural outputs crossing each other at a plurality of crosspoints. First and second tandem switches are disposed at each crosspoint, between a respective input and a respective output. A shunt capacitor is coupled to each first and second switch and to ground, to short crosstalk in the inputs and outputs. A method of making a semiconductor switch array is also provided.

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: 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: A method for suppressing crosstalk in a telecommunications switching array is provided. The array includes a plurality of first transmission lines for accepting incoming signals, a plurality of second transmission lines for propagating outgoing signals, a plurality of switches, and a plurality of inductive couplings. The first transmission lines are arranged substantially in parallel to each other, and each of the first transmission lines has a characteristic impedance substantially equal to Z0. The second transmission lines are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first transmission lines so as to form an intersection between each of the first transmission lines and each of the second transmission lines, and each of the second transmission lines has a characteristic impedance substantially equal to Z0. Each intersection includes one of the switches.

Abstract: Microwave switching method and apparatus useful in high frequency operations (˜40 GHz) includes structure and/or steps for providing a plurality of parallel upper switch cards, each having at least one input and a plurality of outputs; and a plurality of parallel lower switch cards, each having a plurality of inputs and at least one output. The plurality of lower switch cards is disposed perpendicular to the plurality of upper switch cards. A connector board is disposed between the edges of the plurality of upper and lower switch cards, the connector board having a two-dimensional planar array of electrical-coupling terminals for electrically coupling the plurality of upper switch cards outputs to the plurality of lower switch card inputs. Preferably, the electrical-coupling terminals comprise solder bumps disposed at either end of metallized via holes through the board, the solder bumps couple to wells disposed at the edges of the upper and lower switch cards.

Abstract: A microwave switch array includes a first stack of N switch cards and a second stack of N switch cards, where N is an integer greater than 1, and an electrical connector between the two stacks. The second stack is positioned beneath the first stack. An angle of orientation of the second stack is substantially orthogonal to an angle of orientation of the first stack. The electrical connector is capable of transmitting signals within the microwave frequency range. Each of the N switch cards in the first stack may include an embedded 1×N signal splitter, and each of the N switch cards in the second stack may include an embedded N×1 signal combiner. Each of the N switch cards in the each stack may include both analog switching circuitry and digital control circuitry. Each of the N signal splitters may include a single semiconductor chip having a 1×N switch functionality, and each of the N signal combiners may include a single semiconductor chip having an N×1 switch functionality.

Abstract: A microwave crosspoint switch array and a method of minimizing crosstalk and dispersion in such an array are provided. The array includes a substrate lower ground plane, a substrate dielectric, including a material having a first dielectric constant, at least two signal transmission lines which are deposited upon the substrate dielectric with a minimum spacing distance between the lines, and a coverplate, including a material having a second dielectric constant and a metallized upper ground plane. The material having the first dielectric constant is substantially similar to the material having the second dielectric constant. The signal transmission lines may be metallic. The second dielectric constant may differ from the first dielectric constant by less than 50%, or by less than 25%; for example, the material having the first dielectric constant may be gallium arsenide, and the material having the second dielectric constant may be alumina.

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: Electro-optical waveguide switching method and apparatus includes structure and steps for switching an optical signal from a first waveguide into a second waveguide. Voltage application structure and/or step is provided to apply a differential voltage to the first waveguide to cause an optical signal propagating in the first waveguide to propagate in the second waveguide. The first waveguide core/cladding structure is configured to provide a memory function that substantially maintains the propagation of the optical signal from the first waveguide to the second waveguide after the differential voltage is no longer applied to the first waveguide. Preferably, the switch is a planar array switch having epitaxially-deposited PZT core and PZLT cladding layers. The design makes possible 1000×1000 waveguide array switching on a single substrate.

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: A telecommunication switching array uses optical-electrical display addressing to eliminate the need for control lines by using only external controls to indicate the active nodes of the array. The external controls are integrated in a flat panel display, and the easily addressed display is coupled optically to the switching array through integrated photodconductors located adjacent to the switches. There is one photoconductor for each switch. This results in a separation of control functions and switching functions which is embodied in a separate control plate and a separate switching plate. A third intermediate plate may be included for optical isolation and optional optical magnification. The array may be scaled for high-dimensional systems (e.g., an N×N array where N is 1,000 or more).