Crosspoint switch with reduced power consumption
First Claim
1. A matrix type crosspoint switch circuit comprising:
- a plurality of input terminals;
a plurality of output terminals;
a plurality of input lines, each connected to a respective input terminal;
a plurality of output lines, each connected to a respective output terminal; and
a switch circuit provided at each intersection of an input line and an output line, each switch circuit comprising a switch cell connected to an input line and an output line, a control terminal for controlling the state of the switch cell, and a bias control circuit coupled to the switch cell, the switch circuits being arranged so that an input signal at any one of the input terminals may be routed to any one of the output terminals in accordance with a signal input to the control terminal;
wherein the bias control circuit is configured to receive configuration information from an external controller and is responsive thereto to provide a control signal to the corresponding switch cell to enable the switch cell supplying a bias current thereto, or to disable the switch cell by supplying no bias current thereto, to reduce the static power dissipation of the switch cell.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A crosspoint switch architecture implements high-speed packet switches and incorporates a power-saving bias control circuit with each switch cell. Each switch cell is equipped with two memory cells and a bias control circuit. Power savings are obtained by controlling the bias current of the switch cell as a function of the switch state. Although the additional circuitry accompanying each switch cell adds complexity and a minimal additional power consumption, the power saving realized in the switch cell results in a crosspoint switch with much lower power consumption as compared to existing architectures. The presence of two bits of memory for each switch core allows for fast reconfiguration. The result is an overall power savings and lower cost design.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A matrix type crosspoint switch circuit comprising:
-
a plurality of input terminals;
a plurality of output terminals;
a plurality of input lines, each connected to a respective input terminal;
a plurality of output lines, each connected to a respective output terminal; and
a switch circuit provided at each intersection of an input line and an output line, each switch circuit comprising a switch cell connected to an input line and an output line, a control terminal for controlling the state of the switch cell, and a bias control circuit coupled to the switch cell, the switch circuits being arranged so that an input signal at any one of the input terminals may be routed to any one of the output terminals in accordance with a signal input to the control terminal;
wherein the bias control circuit is configured to receive configuration information from an external controller and is responsive thereto to provide a control signal to the corresponding switch cell to enable the switch cell supplying a bias current thereto, or to disable the switch cell by supplying no bias current thereto, to reduce the static power dissipation of the switch cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A crosspoint switch circuit comprising:
-
a plurality of input terminals;
a plurality of output terminals;
a plurality of input lines, each connected to a respective input terminal;
a plurality of output lines, each connected to a respective output terminal; and
a plurality of switch circuits each having a switch cell connected to the input lines and the output lines, a control terminal for controlling the state of the switch cell and a bias control circuit coupled to the switch cell and comprising a differential amplifier and a current follower circuit connected to the differential amplifier for providing a first current path which prevents the switch cell from being turned on and a second current path which turns on the switch cell, the switch circuits being arranged so that an input signal at any one of the input terminals may be routed to any one of the output terminals in accordance with a signal input to the control terminal;
wherein the bias control circuit is configured to receive configuration information from an external controller and is responsive thereto to provide a control signal to the corresponding switch cell to enable the switch cell by supplying a bias current thereto through the second current path, and to disable the switch cell by supplying current through the first current path when the configuration information indicates that the switch cell is turned OFF to thereby minimize loading capacitance, throughput delay and static power dissipation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification