Electrical beam switch
AssigneeMicroelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation
InventorsLawrence N. Smith, Ollie C. Woodard, Sr., Dennis J. Herrell
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Abstract
An electrical beam switch for interconnection between a plurality of inputs and outputs and includes a two-dimensional array of electrically charged particle emitters and an array of detectors facing the emitter array for receiving charged particles from various of the emitters. X and y electrical deflectors are positioned adjacent each of the emitters for directing the charged particles from each of the emitters to a selected one or more of the detectors. A screen lens may be positioned adjacent the array of detectors for focusing the directed beams on to the selected detector.
Claims12
An electron beam crossbar switch for interconnection between processors or memory units comprising,
- a two dimensional array of electron emitter source device,
- a separate data input connected to each of the electron emitters,
- a two dimensional array of independent and unrelated data output detectors positioned relative to the array of electron emitter devices for receiving electrons from any of the emitter devices,
- x and y deflection means positioned adjacent each of the electron emitters for individually directing the electrons from each of the emitters to a selected one of any of the detectors, and
- separate address means connected to each of the deflection means for individually directing the data input to each emitter to a different selected detector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.