Physical Aspects of Overseas AUTOVON Switching System

The specifications of the overseas AUTOVON (Automatic Voice Network) system included detailed physical, electrical, environmental, and other criteria. To meet these requirements, after evaluating all other design goals, two types of housings were developed. A drawer cabinet houses the crosspoint switching matrix (CSM) cards on vertical, slide-mounted drawers. A gate cabinet houses the electronic power modules, logic wiring cards, and electromechanical circuit assemblies, on hinged gates. Cabinets bolt to each other, to the floor, and to an overhead cable-raceway grid, which carries the control, signal, and transmission cables. Power and ground (frame, shield, battery, and electronic) cables are segregated on the raceway.