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Abstract

An all electronic interconnect system having high flexibility, low cost, and higher reliability. A central matrix is formed from a multiplicity of solid state analog switches in which each switch is controlled by a digital address. Each switch can connect a common switch point to one of a multiplicity of outputs. For use with digital devices such as computers and peripherals, a multiplicity of rows of the matrix may be connected to accept an N-bit parallel byte and to output such an input selectively to one of several channels. The channel to which the input is connected is selected by a digital address to each of the analog switches in the row. By using a multiplicity of rows, the matrix is built up to interconnect a number of input digital devices to a number of output devices through control of the electronic addresses. Control circuits are provided which permit rapid interconnection of any input device to any output device. A maintenance channel system is included which permits real time monitoring of the input and output of any digital connection to quickly locate sources of errors. The use of analog switches in the matrix eliminates the need for synchronization of the digital information and also permits the system to interconnect analog devices.

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First Claim