System and method for routing input signals using single pole single throw and single pole double throw latching micro-magnetic switches
A system and method are used to route input signals from an input node to N output nodes. The system includes an input section that receives input signals, an output section that transmits output signals based on the input signals, and a switching section. The switching section includes switches that control transmission of the input signals from the input section to the output section. The switches can be latching micro-magnetic switches that include a magnet proximate to a substrate, a cantilever coupled to the substrate and positioned proximate to the magnet, the cantilever coupled to a magnetic material, and a conductor coupled to the substrate, the conductor conducting a current that induces a first torque in the cantilever.
1 . A system comprising:
an input section that receives input signals;
an output section that transmits output signals based on the input signals; and
a switching section that includes switches that control transmission of the input signals from the input section to the output section, the switches including,
a magnet proximate to a substrate,
a cantilever coupled to the substrate and positioned proximate to the magnet, the cantilever coupled to a magnetic material, and
a conductor coupled to the substrate, the conductor conducting a current that induces a first torque in the cantilever.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the magnet produces a first magnetic field,
the magnetic material makes the cantilever sensitive to the first magnetic field and the cantilever is operable to rotate between a first and second state based on the first magnetic field producing a second torque in the magnetic material of the cantilever that maintains the cantilever in the first or second state, and
the first torque is based on a second magnetic field produced by the current being conducted.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a power source; and
a controller coupled to the power source, wherein the conductor receives current based on the controller to produce the first torque.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the switching section includes two of the switches.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the switching section includes four of the switches.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the output section includes multiple output nodes.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the output section includes two output nodes.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the output section includes three output nodes.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the output section includes four output nodes.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the switches are configured as single-pole-single-throw (SPST) latching micro-magnetic switches.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the switches are configured as single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) latching micro-magnetic switches.
12 . A method comprising:
receiving an input signal; and
routing the input signal to output sections using latching micromagnetic switches having a cantilever that moves between a first state and a second state based on a first torque generated by a first magnetic field produced by a magnet and a second torque generated by a second magnetic field produced by current flowing through a conductor.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising using two of the latching micromagnetic switches to perform the routing.
14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising using four of the latching micromagnetic switches to perform the routing.
15 . The method of claim 12 , comprising using SPST latching micro-magnetic switches as the switches.
16 . The method of claim 12 , comprising using SPDT latching micro-magnetic switches as the switches.
17 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of controlling power from a power source to a conductor to control the current that produces the second torque.
18 . A system comprising:
means for supporting a cantilever;
means for providing a first magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cantilever;
switching means for providing a second magnetic field;
means on the cantilever for causing the cantilever, while in a presence of the first magnetic field, to be in one of a normally on or normally off state; and
control means for activating the switching means to switch the state of the cantilever.
19 . A method comprising:
supporting a cantilever;
producing a first magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cantilever;
providing a switch that produces a second magnetic field;
providing a device on the cantilever that causes the cantilever, while in a presence of the first magnetic field, to be in one of a normally on or normally off state; and
activating the switch to switch the state of the cantilever.
20 . A system comprising:
an input section that receives input signals;
an output section that transmits output signals based on the input signals; and
a switching section that includes latching switches that control transmission of the input signals from the input section to the output section, the latching switches including,
a permanent magnet proximate to a substrate,
a cantilever coupled to the substrate and positioned proximate to the permanent magnet, the cantilever coupled to a soft magnetic material, and
a conductor coupled to the substrate, the conductor conducting a current that induces a first torque in the soft magnetic material coupled to the cantilever, which causes torque in the cantilever.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein:
the permanent magnet produces a first magnetic field,
the soft magnetic material makes the cantilever sensitive to the first magnetic field and the cantilever is operable to rotate between a first and second state based on the first magnetic field producing a second torque in the soft magnetic material of the cantilever that maintains the cantilever in the first or second state, and
the first torque is based on a second magnetic field produced by the current being conducted.
22 . The system of claim 20 , further comprising:
a power source; and
a controller coupled to the power source, wherein the conductor receives current based on the controller to produce the first torque.
23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the switching section includes two of the switches.
24 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the switching section includes four of the switches.
25 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the output section includes multiple output nodes.
26 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the output section includes two output nodes.
27 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the output section includes three output nodes.
28 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the output section includes four output nodes.
29 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the switches are configured as single-pole-single-throw (SPST) latching micro-magnetic switches.
30 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the switches are configured as single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) latching micro-magnetic switches.
31 . A system comprising:
a cantilever coupled to a soft magnetic material;
means for supporting the cantilever;
a permanent magnet that provides a first magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cantilever;
means for providing a second magnetic field;
wherein the soft magnetic material coupled to the cantilever causes the cantilever, while in a presence of the first magnetic field, to be latched in a first one of a normally on or normally off state; and
control means for activating the means for providing the second magnetic field to switch the state of the cantilever to be latched in a second one of the normally on or normally off state.
32 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the soft magnetic material is a permalloy.
33 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the soft magnetic material is a permalloy.