Centralized crosspoint switching unit

Claim 2

A crosspoint switch matrix for connecting a plurality of sending lines to a plurality of receiving lines which lines are energizable to carry direct current DC voltage levels of a DC interlocked demand-response interface comprising: a plurality of transistors, one of each of a pair of sending and receiving lines, each transistor having its collector connected to a sending line and its emitter connected to a receiving line, switch control means for causing a sending line to be electrically connected to a receiving line, which includes means for supplying a current to the base of the one of said plurality of transistors which is common to said sending line and said receiving line, which current is of sufficient magnitude to drive said transistor into saturation; means for energizing said sending line with a DC signal, and means terminating said receiving line in a circuit providing a direct current return path.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said switch control means is connected to said sending lines and is responsive to selection signals transmitted over said sending lines to thereby cause a sending line to be electrically connected to a receiving line in response to said selection signals.

Claim 4

A crosspoint switch matrix for connecting a first plurality of sending lines and receiving lines to a second plurality of sending and receiving lines, sending lines connecting to corresponding receiving lines and forming a pair of sending and receiving lines, said lines adapted to carry control signals, comprising: a plurality of transistors, one for each of said pair of sending and receiving lines, each transistor having its collector connected to a sending line of said first plurality and its emitter connected to a receiving line of said second plurality, or having its collector connected to a sending line of said second plurality and its emitter connected to a receiving line of said first plurality, and switch control means connected to said sending and receiving lines of said first plurality of lines responsive to signals transmitted over said first plurality of sending and receiving lines for causing said sending and receiving lines of said first plurality of sending and receiving lines to be electrically connected to said second plurality of sending and receiving lines, which switch control means includes direct out signal means for supplying a drive signal of a first polarity to the bases of said plurality of transistors, the minimum amplitude of said first polarity drive signal being that which is sufficient to supply a maximum base current which maintains said transistor in saturation during the propagation of a minimum voltage level of control signals appearing on said sending lines.

Claim 5

A crosspoint switch matrix for connecting a first plurality of sending lines and receiving lines to a second plurality of sending and receiving lines, sending lines connecting to corresponding receiving lines and forming a pair of sending and receiving lines, said lines adapted to carry control signals, comprising: a plurality of transistors, one for each of said pair of sending and receiving lines, each transistor having its collector connected to a sending line of said first plurality and its emitter connected to a receiving line of said second plurality, or having its collector connected to a sending line of said second plurality and its emitter connected to a receiving line of said first plurality, and switch control means connected to said sending and receiving lines of said first plurality of lines responsive to signals transmitted over said first plurality of sending and receiving lines for causing said sending and receiving lines of said first plurality of sending and receiving lines to be electrically connected to said second plurality of sending and receiving lines, which switch control means includes direct out signal means for supplying a drive signal of a first polarity to the bases of said plurality of transistors, the minimum amplitude of said first polarity drive signal being that which is sufficient to supply a maximum base current which maintains said transistor in saturation during the propagation of a minimum voltage level of control signals appearing on said sending lines.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 3 wherein the maximum voltage amplitude of said first polarity drive signal is limited to the amount of allowable voltage shift of said control signals caused by base current in said transistor.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 3 wherein said direct out signal means includes means for supplying a drive signal of a polarity opposite to said first polarity to said bases of said plurality of transistors and of an amplitude sufficient to minimize crosstalk between pairs of sending and receiving lines through nonenergized crosspoints.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 4 wherein said direct out signal means includes means for supplying a drive signal of a polarity opposite to sAid first polarity to said bases of said plurality of transistors and of an amplitude sufficient to minimize crosstalk between pairs of sending and receiving lines through nonenergized crosspoints.

Claim 9

Switching apparatus for switchably connecting a first group of control lines connected to a controlling module to one of a plurality of controlled modules, having a second group of control lines connected thereto, said control lines including sending lines energizable by signal sources at said modules and receiving lines for receiving control signals sent on corresponding sending lines, each sending and receiving line of said first group paired with receiving and sending lines respectively of said second group comprising: a plurality of transistors, one for each of a pair of sending and receiving lines, each transistor having its collector connected to a sending line and its emitter connected to a receiving line, and switch control means associated with said controlling module for causing sending and receiving lines in said first group to be electrically connected to selected receiving and sending lines in said second group of said one of said controlled modules, which control means includes direct out signal means for supplying a drive signal of a first polarity to the bases of a plurality of transistors of said selected lines; the minimum amplitude of said first polarity drive signal being that which is sufficient to supply a maximum base current which maintains said transistor in saturation during the propagation of a minimum voltage level of control signals appearing on said sending lines.

Claim 10

Switching apparatus for switchably connecting a first group of control lines connected to a controlling module to one of a plurality of controlled modules, having a second group of control lines connected thereto, said control lines including sending lines energizable by signal sources at said modules and receiving lines for receiving control signals sent on corresponding sending lines, each sending and receiving line of said first group paired with receiving and sending lines respectively of said second group comprising: a plurality of transistors, one for each of a pair of sending and receiving lines, each transistor having its collector connected to a sending line and its emitter connected to a receiving line, and switch control means associated with said controlling module for causing sending and receiving lines in said first group to be electrically connected to selected receiving and sending lines in said second group of said one of said controlled modules, which control means includes direct out signal means for supplying a drive signal of a first polarity to the bases of a plurality of transistors of said selected lines; the minimum amplitude of said first polarity drive signal being that which is sufficient to supply a maximum base current which maintains said transistor in saturation during the propagation of a minimum voltage level of control signals appearing on said sending lines.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 7 wherein the maximum voltage amplitude of said first polarity drive signal is limited to the amount of allowable voltage shift of said control signals caused by base current in said transistor.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 7 wherein said direct out signal means includes means for supplying a drive signal of a polarity opposite to said first polarity to said bases of said plurality of transistors and of an amplitude sufficient to minimize crosstalk between pairs of sending and receiving lines through nonenergized crosspoints.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 8 wherein said direct out signal means includes means for supplying a drive signal of a polarity opposite to said first polarity to said bases of said plurality of transistors and of an amplitude sufficient to minimize crosstalk between pairs of sending and receiving lines through nonenergized crosspoints.