Flexible redundancy using RF switch matrix

A communication apparatus comprising:

• an M by N radio frequency (RF) switch matrix comprising N first-side RF ports and M second-side RF ports;
• and
• a controller, configured to interact with and control the M by N RF switch matrix,
• wherein:
• N is at least 2, and
• each of the first-side RF ports is configured to be selectively coupled and uncoupled from at least one of two or more of the second-side RF ports, in response to the controller, wherein coupled carries external RF signals between the selectively coupled first-side RF port and the at least one of two or more of the second-side RF ports, and
• wherein the controller is further configured to:
• identify one or more of the second-side RF ports as active ports, the active ports including a first active port,
• cause the M by N RF switch matrix to couple the first active port to a first signal port included in the first-side RF ports,
• obtain at least one of a first BER (bit error rate) and a first SNR (signal to noise ratio) for a first demodulation of a first RF stream received by a first piece of RF communication equipment via the first active port, and
• cause, in response to at least one of the first BER or the first SNR being different than a threshold value, the M by N RF switch matrix to couple the first signal port to a first spare port, wherein the first spare port is included in the second-side RF ports and is not included in the active ports.