| 摘要 |
The basic element of a modular, bidirectional broadband programmable switch system is a switch module having a thin rectangular housing with a single first connector preferably in the center of an elongated rear face and n second connectors equally spaced along the elongated front face. Broadband switches within the module selectively connect the single first connector with any one of the second connectors to provide an nx1 or 1xn switch. Up to n of the switch modules can be stacked side-by-side with an additional module extending transversely with its n second connectors connected to the first connectors on the stacked modules to provide an n2x1 or 1xn2 switch. The first connectors on the additional modules of two such stacks can be connected to provide an n2xn2 switch. The switch modules contain a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the bidirectional, broadband switches, and in some instances splitters/combiners and/or couplers, are mounted in a tree configuration and connected by microstrip lines laid out in a candelabra pattern, both symmetric about a central axis, such that the paths between the single first connector and any of the second connectors all contain the same number of switches, splitter/combiners and couplers and the same path length to equalize impedance and insertion loss. The switches can be controlled locally or through various control interfaces, in the latter case preferably through an interface control board having connectors spaced apart to align with mating connectors on each of the modules in a stack. The signal connectors are inexpensive F-type connectors affixed to the edges of the PCB and projecting laterally outward. Matrices can be firmed by interlocking confronting notched edges of perpendicular arrays of spaced parallel PCB's with the strip lines on intersecting boards soldered directly to each other, thereby eliminating many cable connections.
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