A
communications system that includes one or more
free space electron switches. The
free space electron switch employs an array of
electron emitters, where each emitter is responsive to an RF or optical input
signal on an input channel. Each emitter includes a
cathode that emits electrons in response to the input
signal. Each emitter further includes a focussing / accelerating
electrode for collecting and accelerating the emitted electrons into an electron beam. Each emitter further includes an aiming
anode that directs the beam of electrons to a desired
detector within an array of detectors that converts the beam of electrons to a representative RF or optical
signal on an output channel. Each emitter may include a modulating
electrode that generates an
electric field to modulate data onto the beam of electrons. The communications systems employing the switch can be an ISDN, DSLAM networks,
packet routing systems, ADSL networks, PBX systems, local exchange systems, etc.