What is a Cross Switch?
A crossbar switch (cross-point switch, cross switch) is in general a collection of switches set in a matrix configuration usually featuring multiple inputs and outputs. Different connections between the inputs and outputs can be formed by selecting different states of the switches. In this manner, a user can dynamically choose which input goes to which output(s). This is in contrast to when no switches are present and thus all inputs and outputs are “hard wired” together not allowing for any connection changes.
What does a Cross Switch do?
In some implementations, a cross switch can route a single input to all outputs while others can only route one input to a single output. An electronic blocking crossbar switch in general means that when one input is routed to the output(s) all other inputs are blocked. A non-blocking cross-point switch in general allows all the inputs to be sent to the outputs at the same time.
What are some Cross Switch applications?
While the cross switch has many applications, a common area the concept finds its way into is the test and measurement equipment market. This is especially true for the makers of electronics mass production test equipment. Having a crossbar switch gives the system architect the flexibility to switch in / out different signals during testing at high frequency. Depending on the circuit cells used in the design, the signals can be digital or analog or even both.
Since the cross switches are being utilized in test equipment, their signal quality is of upmost importance. This usually means that they are implemented in a high speed fabrication technology. Suitable candidates include SiGe, GaAs, or InP. The use of these advanced processes also means the resulting circuitry can handle high frequency test signals.
A few examples of ADSANTEC’s Cross Switches:
ADSANTEC offers a simple 2 by 2 cross point switch solution that can be used by itself or in combination with other units to form a bigger matrix, the associated part is the ASNT6162-KMM. The linear non-blocking architecture allows each input to be routed to a single output at the same time. It also allows one input to be set to both outputs at the same time as well. The block features 0dB gain and dynamically adjusts it over temperature and process variation. Since it’s fabricated in an advanced SiGe process, the broadband cross switch can handle analog and digital signaling up to 24GHz. Selection of the state of the different involved switches is accomplished using a two bit digital input signal.
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