Electronic switching module

Claim 2

A switching module for time division multiplex signals comprising: a plurality of first circuits including switching means of a first type forming inputs; a plurality of second circuits including switching means of a second type forming outputs; multistage switching circuits for connecting each of the inputs to any one of the outputs for the selective transmission of data signals; said first circuits including an input memory stage for receiving a data signal during a relatively short time interval corresponding to a relatively short fraction of a channel time slot and thereafter storing it and holding it during a relatively long fraction of a channel time slot; said input memory stage thereby disassociating reception of the data signal from retransmission and preparing the data signal to be connected step-by-step and stage-by-stage through the multi-stage switching circuits to the outputs.

Claim 3

A switching module as claimed in claim 1, in which said input memory stage includes at least one input switch connected in series with the memory stage and arranged so that when the input switch is closed the memory stage receives an input data signal, stores it and retransmits it to the switching circuits of the module; said memory stage including means operable, when the input is open, to continue transmitting the stored data signal to the multi-stage switching circuits of the module.

Claim 4

A switching module as claimed in claim 1, in which an output memory stage is associated with each output, said output memory stage including one output switch connected in series with output the memory stage; a current-supply switching unit controlling the memory stage in a first period of time during which the output switch is closed and the current-supply switching unit is open and a data signal, provided by the switching circuits of the module, is stored by the memory stage; and then in a second period of time, the output switching unit is open and the current-supply switching unit is closed and the data signal previously stored is transmitted to the output and outside of the module without risk of perturbation by the internal signals of the module.

Claim 5

A switching module as claimed in claim 1, in which each output includes an output memory stage; said multi-stage switching circuits are connected in series with the output memory stage; at least one blocking switch unit is connected in parallel to the memory-stage input during a first period of time while the output memory-staGe is open and the blocking switch-unit is closed, the memory stage is blocked and its output is isolated; whereas, in a second period of time, the output switching-unit being closed and the blocking switch-unit being open, the memory stage receives, stores and retransmits on its output, onto the outside of the module, the data signal provided by the switching circuits; and, in a third period of time, the output switch being open whereas the blocking switch unit remains open, the output memory stage is isolated from the switching circuits and continues providng, onto the outside of the module, the previously stored data signal.