High power multiplexer with low power components

A multiplexer for transferring trains of pulses, comprising:

• a plurality of switching assemblies, each switching assembly comprising:
• a first assembly terminal and a second assembly terminal;
• a first plurality of relays connected in parallel by having respective first contacts connected together and respective second contacts connected together and wherein the respective second contacts are connected to the first assembly terminal;
• a first capacitor connected in parallel with the first plurality of relays;
• a second plurality of relays connected in parallel by having respective third contacts connected together and respective fourth contacts connected together and wherein the respective fourth contacts are connected to the second assembly terminal;
• a second capacitor connected in parallel with the second plurality of relays;
• and
• a connection, having a first termination connected to the respective first contacts and a second termination connected to the respective third contacts, so that the first plurality of relays and the second plurality of relays are connected in series;
• and
• a controller configured to independently activate the switching assemblies so that on activation of a given switching assembly the first and the second contacts thereof connect and the third and the fourth contacts thereof connect, thereby connecting the first and second assembly terminals so that the pulses transfer therebetween, and on deactivation of the given switching assembly the first and the second contacts thereof disconnect and the third and the fourth contacts thereof disconnect, thereby disconnecting the first and second assembly terminals so that the pulses do not transfer therebetween,
• wherein the pulses have amplitudes of at least 2 kilovolts.

A method for transferring trains of pulses, comprising:

• providing a switching assembly having a first assembly terminal and a second assembly terminal;
• connecting a first plurality of first relays in parallel, whereby the first relays have respective first contacts connected together and have respective second contacts connected together, and wherein the respective first contacts are connected to the first assembly terminal;
• connecting a first capacitor in parallel with the first plurality of first relays;
• connecting a second plurality of second relays in parallel, whereby the second relays have respective third contacts connected together and have respective fourth contacts connected together, and wherein the respective fourth contacts are connected to the second assembly terminal;
• connecting a second capacitor in parallel with the second plurality of second relays;
• and
• providing a connection, having a first termination connected to the respective second contacts and a second termination connected to the respective third contacts, so that the first plurality of first relays and the second plurality of second relays are connected in series,
• wherein the pulses have amplitudes of at least 2 kilovolts, and
• whereby on activation of the first plurality of first relays and the second plurality of second relays the respective first and second contacts connect and the respective third and the fourth contacts connect, thereby connecting the first and second assembly terminals, and on deactivation of the first plurality of first relays and the second plurality of second relays the respective first and second contacts disconnect and the respective third and the fourth contacts disconnect, thereby disconnecting the first and second assembly terminals.

A method for transferring trains of pulses, comprising:

• providing a multiplexer, having a plurality of switching assemblies, each switching assembly comprising:
• a first assembly terminal and a second assembly terminal;
• a first plurality of relays connected in parallel by having respective first contacts connected together and respective second contacts connected together and wherein the respective second contacts are connected to the first assembly terminal;
• a first capacitor connected in parallel with the first plurality of relays;
• a second plurality of relays connected in parallel by having respective third contacts connected together and respective fourth contacts connected together and wherein the respective fourth contacts are connected to the second assembly terminal;
• a second capacitor connected in parallel with the second plurality of relays;
• and
• a connection, having a first termination connected to the respective first contacts and a second termination connected to the respective third contacts, so that the first plurality of relays and the second plurality of relays are connected in series;
• and
• independently activating the switching assemblies so that on activation of a given switching assembly the first and the second contacts thereof connect and the third and the fourth contacts thereof connect, thereby connecting the first and second assembly terminals so that the pulses transfer therebetween, and on deactivation of the given switching assembly the first and the second contacts thereof disconnect and the third and the fourth contacts thereof disconnect, thereby disconnecting the first and second assembly terminals so that the pulses do not transfer therebetween,
• wherein the pulses have amplitudes of at least 2 kilovolts.