On the Logical Design of Noiseless Load-Sharing Matrix Switches

A noiseless matrix switch is a selection switch in which, for a given set of inputs, one corresponding output (the selected output) is nonzero while all other outputs are zero; the switch is load-sharing with efficiency one if all nonzero inputs contribute to the selected output with the same sign. This paper develops a general theory of noiseless load-sharing matrix switches, from which many new switches can be derived. Considerable design flexibility is thereby provided, with respect to the number of inputs, the types of input drivers, and the winding ratios. As an example, previous results (Chien) indicate that 20 inputs are required for a certain type of 16-output switch. The present re-results show that only 17 inputs are required.