Crossbar switch and method with reduced voltage swing and no internal

Abstract

A switch system and method transfer a data packet from a source data port to one or more destination data ports through a switch. The system comprises a source input buffer, a first and a second source input path, a first and a second output path and at least one crosspoint circuit. The source input buffer includes a first and a second data section. The first and the second data sections are coupled to the first and the second input paths respectively. The first and the second input paths couple through the crosspoint circuits at each intersection with the first and the second output paths. The method includes loading the data packets into data sections of an input buffer, transferring each data packet across an input path dedicated for each data section, transmitting each data packet over its input path, and switching the data from the input path to the output path based on a voltage differential. A crosspoint circuit in the switch system includes a first and a second reduced voltage swing line, a first and a second transistor circuit for each data input path and a sense amplifier for a data port. The first reduced voltage swing line is coupled to the first transistor circuit, the second reduced voltage swing line is coupled to the second transistor circuit and both reduced voltage swing lines are connected to the sense amplifier. The method of the unit comprises the steps of charging a first and a second reduced voltage swing line to a predetermined voltage, discharging the voltage from the first reduced voltage swing line, maintaining the voltage in the second voltage line, receiving a clock signal at the sense amplifier, and generating an output signal based on a voltage differential between the voltage lines.