Fault tolerant interconnection networks
First Claim
1. A multi-stage switching network with switches in each stage connected to switches in another stage, where at least one of said switches comprises:
- a switching module for routing signals applied to an input port of said switch to an output port of said switch,an output protocol port associated with said output port of said switch and an input protocol port associated with said input port of said switch, anda control module for generating dual rail internal control signals and for controlling said switching module through dual rail signal lines carrying said internal control signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-stage, alternate routing switching network is enhanced with a switch architecture that is able to detect and mask all single faults. The switch employs a controller that develops dual rail control signals. In one embodiment, the controller is made up of two controllers that receive the same inputs but generate complementary outputs. The complementary outputs form the dual rail signals that control the multiplexers that are interposed between the inputs and the outputs of the switch. The dual rail control of the signal routing within the switch allow for effective detection of all signal faults in the signal routing means. Inclusion of totally self checking circuits at the switch outputs as well as inputs enables users to readily isolate a fault and identify its source.
56 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A multi-stage switching network with switches in each stage connected to switches in another stage, where at least one of said switches comprises:
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a switching module for routing signals applied to an input port of said switch to an output port of said switch, an output protocol port associated with said output port of said switch and an input protocol port associated with said input port of said switch, and a control module for generating dual rail internal control signals and for controlling said switching module through dual rail signal lines carrying said internal control signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A switch having at least two signal input ports and at least two signal output ports, for routing signals applied to said signal input ports to said signal output ports comprising:
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an input protocol port for interfacing said switch with sources that apply signals to said input signal ports, and an output protocol port for interfacing said switch with destinations to which output signals of said output signal ports are delivered; a switching module for routing signals applied to said signal input ports to said signal output ports, and a control module for generating dual rail signals and for controlling said switching module through said dual rail signal lines and for controlling interactions of said switch with said sources and said destinations through dual rail signal lines. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification