Switching device including magnetic microswitches organized in a matrix

Electrical switching device comprising a plurality of magnetic microswitches (2) organized in a matrix on a substrate (3) and each comprising a mobile element (20) driven between two positions and mounted onto one surface of the substrate, the device comprising a network of crossed conducting lines (C1-C6, L1-L6), the magnetic microswitches (2) being positioned near to intersections formed by the conducting lines (C1-C6, L1-L6), the device being characterized in that:

• the mobile element is designed to be held in a stable manner in each of its two positions under the sole effect of a permanent magnetic field (B0) generated for all the microswitches (2),
• the passage of an electrical control current (I1, I2), in a given direction, through two conducting lines (Ci, Lj), commands the change in position of the mobile element (20) of the magnetic microswitch situated at the intersection of the two conducting lines (Ci, Lj).