Abstract: A dynamic switch contact protection circuit and technique to protect a channel switch within an electrical system by limiting transients when the switch is turned on or turned off. The protection circuit comprises switching between a high resistance path and a low resistance path. The high resistance path comprises a resistor. A bypass switch is connected in parallel to the resistor to affect the low resistance path. The protection circuit can connect or disconnect switch cards to the electrical system enabling the creation of a larger switching structure. Disconnected switch cards within a switching structure preserves system bandwidth by limiting capacitive loading. Electing which switch to close last or open first can prolong the length of usage of the switches.

Abstract: A dynamic switch contact protection circuit and technique to protect a channel switch within an electrical system by limiting transients when the switch is turned on or turned off. The protection circuit comprises switching between a high resistance path and a low resistance path. The high resistance path comprises a resistor. A bypass switch is connected in parallel to the resistor to affect the low resistance path. The protection circuit can connect or disconnect switch cards to the electrical system enabling the creation of a larger switching structure. Disconnected switch cards within a switching structure preserves system bandwidth by limiting capacitive loading. Electing which switch to close last or open first can prolong the length of usage of the switches.

Abstract: The dielectric absorbtion of capacitors in a filter that removes the AC component from a precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is effectively eliminated by operating the normally grounded end of the filter at a DC voltage that approximates the DC output voltage from the precision DAC. This prevents the capacitors in the filter from becoming charged to a DC voltage, and has the further benefit of reducing the number of time constants otherwise spent in charging and discharging those capacitors to within some specified percentage of the output DC voltage. The result is greatly reduced settling time for the filter. The filter may be of any convenient type. The precision DAC may be of the type that switches between ground and a precision reference voltage with a precisely controlled duty cycle, and the approximating voltage may be obtained from any conventional DAC.