Digital routing switch matrix for digitized radio-frequency signals
US7362125B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B1/40
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Routing and distribution of radio-frequency (RF) signals is commonly achieved in the analog domain. However, improved performance and simplified circuit architectures may be obtained by first digitizing the RF signal, and then carrying out all routing in the digital domain. A new generation of scalable digital switches has been developed, which routes both the data and clock signals together, this being necessary to maintain the integrity of the digitized RF signal. Given the extremely high switching speeds necessary for these applications (tens of GHz), this is implemented using Rapid-Single-Flux-Quantum (RSFQ) logic with superconducting integrated circuits. Such a digital switch matrix may be applied to either the receiver or transmitter components of an advanced multi-band, multi-channel digital transceiver system, and is compatible with routing of signals with different clock frequencies simultaneously within the same switch matrix.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.