Mechanoelectronic [ME] telephone switching system

The ME system is based on a new crossbar-type switch (100-outlet capacity) with connections established by both vertical and horizontal bars operating gold contacts. The mechanical construction and operation of this switch are described in great detail; its main design factors being negligible contact wear, compactness and general versatility in telephone switching applications. In this system all calling, trunking, selecting, testing, discriminating and identifying operations are performed electronically by the use of pulses from one standard generator. These operations derive from the coincidence or otherwise of pulses applied to gate circuits. Operating speeds are therefore extremely high. The functioning of such units is described very comprehensively with considerable illustration of their physical assembly.