The present disclosure relates a switching matrix (100) comprising: a two-dimensional array of n input/output nodes (102), where n is equal to at least four; and a board comprising n network switches, one for each input/output node (102), each network switch coupling its corresponding input/output node to each of first and second switch connection points of the network switch; and, on a first side, a first switching network and on a second side, a second switching network.

A cascadable AGC amplifier in a signal distribution system includes a low noise cascadable amplifier having a through path and a cascadable output. The cascadable amplifier is also configured to provide AGC over a predetermined input power range. The cascadable AGC amplifier can be configured to provide gain or attenuation. When the cascadable AGC amplifier is implemented in a signal distribution system, typically as part of a signal distribution device, an input signal can be gain controlled and supplied to multiple signal paths without distortion due to degradation of signal to noise ratio or distortion due to higher order amplifier products. The distributed signal is not significantly degraded by distortion regardless of the number of cascadable AGC amplifiers connected in series or the position of the cascadable AGC amplifier in the signal distribution system.

Techniques including controlling coupling and uncoupling of RF ports included in an RF switch matrix including first-side RF ports and second-side RF ports, where each of the first-side RF ports is configured to be selectively coupled to at least one of two or more of the second-side RF ports, identifying one or more of the second-side RF ports as active ports including an active port, causing the RF switch matrix to couple the active port to a signal port included in the first-side RF ports, obtaining at least one of a bit error rate and a signal to noise ratio for a demodulation of an RF stream received via the active port, and causing, in response to at least one of the bit error rate or the signal to noise ratio, the RF switch matrix to couple the signal port to a spare port included in the second-side RF ports.

Techniques including controlling coupling and uncoupling of RF ports included in an RF switch matrix including first-side RF ports and second-side RF ports, where each of the first-side RF ports is configured to be selectively coupled to at least one of two or more of the second-side RF ports, identifying one or more of the second-side RF ports as active ports including an active port, causing the RF switch matrix to couple the active port to a signal port included in the first-side RF ports, obtaining at least one of a bit error rate and a signal to noise ratio for a demodulation of an RF stream received via the active port, and causing, in response to at least one of the bit error rate or the signal to noise ratio, the RF switch matrix to couple the signal port to a spare port included in the second-side RF ports.

Techniques including controlling coupling and uncoupling of RF ports included in an RF switch matrix including first-side RF ports and second-side RF ports, where each of the first-side RF ports is configured to be selectively coupled to at least one of two or more of the second-side RF ports, identifying one or more of the second-side RF ports as active ports including an active port, causing the RF switch matrix to couple the active port to a signal port included in the first-side RF ports, obtaining at least one of a bit error rate and a signal to noise ratio for a demodulation of an RF stream received via the active port, and causing, in response to at least one of the bit error rate or the signal to noise ratio, the RF switch matrix to couple the signal port to a spare port included in the second-side RF ports.

A semiconductor circuit is provided having a crossbar switch arrangement, which includes at least one multiplexer, an output of which corresponds to an output of the crossbar switch arrangement. The arrangement also includes: a set of input lines connected to data inputs of the multiplexer, the input lines extending along a first direction of the semiconductor circuit; and a set of select lines connected to select inputs of the multiplexer, the select lines extending along a second direction of the semiconductor circuit, where the second direction differs from the first direction. The multiplexer includes at least one multiplexing circuit for generating a multiplexed signal from signals present at the input lines and at least one primary output driver for generating an output signal from the multiplexed signal.

A method includes receiving a request associated with a communications path from a first device to a second device. The method includes generating switching configuration data based on network topology data associated with the communications path. The switching configuration data indicates a configuration of a switch matrix of a satellite. The method further includes causing the switch matrix to initialize or modify the communications path based on the switching configuration data. A portion of the communications path includes components of a payload of the satellite. The components including the switch matrix.

A non-blocking crossbar switch architecture is disclosed that circumvents the problem present in prior art crossbar switches where input signals may oversubscribe the available inter-die bandwidth. The new non-blocking crossbar switch architecture is split across a plurality of semiconductor dice, including a plurality of interleaved crossbar switch segments. Only one crossbar switch segment is implemented on each semiconductor die. A plurality of input ports and output ports are coupled to the crossbar switch. The crossbar switch is non-blocking, i.e. any one output port not currently receiving data may receive data from any one input port.

A method includes receiving a request associated with a communications path from a first device to a second device. The method includes generating switching configuration data based on network topology data associated with the communications path. The switching configuration data indicates a configuration of a switch matrix of a satellite. The method further includes causing the switch matrix to initialize or modify the communications path based on the switching configuration data. A portion of the communications path includes components of a payload of the satellite. The components including the switch matrix.

Methods and apparatuses for enhancing flatness of frequency response of couplings of radio frequency (RF) ports in an RF switch matrix. Techniques include determining a second RF port has been selected to be coupled to a first RF port via a coupling, obtaining an indication of a frequency or frequencies to be carried via the coupling, determining an amount of attenuation or amplification for the coupling for the frequency or frequencies, and adjusting attenuation or amplification applied to the coupling according to the determined amount attenuation or amplification.