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An apparatus for electronically switching a detonation device is configured to arm an energy source upon receiving a first signal and discharge the energy source to the detonation device upon receiving and validating a second signal. An explosive device comprising a detonation device electrically co

An apparatus for electronically switching a detonation device is configured to arm an energy source upon receiving a first signal and discharge the energy source to the detonation device upon receiving and validating a second signal. An explosive device comprising a detonation device electrically coupled to an electronic switching device is also provided, wherein the switching device comprises a microcontroller configured to validate the first signal and the second signal. The detonation device may comprise a semiconductor bridge device configured to activate the explosive device upon receiving a charge across a first terminal and a second terminal from the switching device. Methods of operation are also disclosed.

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What is claimed is: 1. A method for electronically switching a detonation device, the method comprising: receiving a first signal; entering a first operational mode upon receiving the first signal, comprising; initializing a microcontroller; and performing a first system check with the microcontrol

What is claimed is: 1. A method for electronically switching a detonation device, the method comprising: receiving a first signal; entering a first operational mode upon receiving the first signal, comprising; initializing a microcontroller; and performing a first system check with the microcontroller; receiving a second signal; charging an energy source; querying whether the energy source has a valid charge: if no, entering a second operational mode; and if yes: initializing an interrupt to permit the second signal to be validated; validating the second signal; and applying energy from the energy source to the detonation device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein initializing the microcontroller comprises: converting the first signal to a third signal; powering the microcontroller with the third signal; generating a fourth signal configured to indicate a predetermined stable condition for the third signal; and enabling the microcontroller with the fourth signal. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the first system check comprises: performing at least one test selected from the group consisting of validating the first signal; performing an internal built-in test of the microcontroller; measuring a voltage across the detonation device; and measuring the charge of the energy source. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: querying whether the at least one test passed; and if no, entering the second operational mode. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a second system check upon entering the second operational mode, wherein performing the second system check comprises performing at least one test selected from the group consisting of: performing an internal built-in test of the microcontroller; measuring a voltage across the detonation device; and measuring the charge of the energy source. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: querying whether the at least one test passed; if yes, providing a status from the microcontroller; and if no, entering the second operational mode. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein validating the second signal comprises: querying whether the interrupt is valid; if no, reinitializing the interrupt; and if yes: performing a second system check; querying whether the second system check passed; and measuring a voltage and bandwidth of the second signal. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: if the second system check failed, entering the second operational mode; if the voltage and bandwidth of the second signal are not within predefined limits, entering the second operational mode; and if the second system cheek passed and the voltage and bandwidth of the second signal are within the predefined limits: energizing a first switch electrically coupled to a first terminal of the detonation device; energizing a second switch electrically coupled to a second terminal of the detonation device; and discharging the energy source from the first terminal to the second terminal through the detonation device. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein energizing the second switch comprises delaying the energy applied to the detonation device. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein delaying the energy comprises charging an internal capacitance of the second switch. 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a status from the microcontroller after discharging the energy source. 12. The method of claim 4, wherein entering the second operational mode comprises: discharging the energy source to ground; providing a status from the microcontroller; and reentering the first operational mode. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein entering the second operational mode comprises: discharging the energy source to ground; providing a status from the microcontroller; and reentering the first operational mode. 14. An explosive device comprising: a detonation device comprising a first terminal and a second terminal; and an electronic switching device configured to activate the detonation device, the electronic switching device comprising: a first input configured to receive a first signal; a second input configured to receive a second signal; a microcontroller configured to validate the first signal and the second signal; and an energy source configured to discharge through the first terminal and the second terminal of the detonation device upon validation of the first signal and the second signal; first fire circuitry electrically coupled to the first terminal of the detonation device, the first fire circuitry configured to selectively discharge the energy source to the first terminal; and signal verification circuitry electrically coupled to the microcontroller and the first fire circuitry, the signal verification circuitry configured to selectively allow the first fire circuitry to discharge the energy source upon validation of the second signal. 15. The explosive device of claim 14, wherein the detonation device comprises a semiconductor bridge device. 16. The explosive device of claim 14, wherein the first input and the second input each comprise surge suppression circuitry. 17. The explosive device of claim 14, wherein the energy source comprises capacitive circuitry. 18. The explosive device of claim 14, further comprising charge circuitry electrically coupled to the energy source, the charge circuitry configured to selectively charge and discharge the energy source. 19. The explosive device of claim 14, further comprising second fire circuitry electrically coupled to the signal verification circuitry, the second fire circuitry configured to activate the detonation device by allowing the energy source to discharge from the first terminal to the second terminal through the detonation device upon validation of the second signal. 20. The explosive device of claim 19, wherein the second fire circuitry comprises a delay element configured to control the timing of the activation of the detonation device. 21. The explosive device of claim 20, wherein the delay element comprises a switching element having a predetermined internal capacitance configured to delay the activation of the detonation device. 22. The explosive device of claim 14, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to discharge the energy source to ground upon detecting at least one parameter that is invalid. 23. The explosive device of claim 22, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of a voltage level of the first signal, a bandwidth of the first signal, a voltage level of the second signal, a bandwidth of the second signal, a built-in test of the microcontroller, a voltage across the detonation device, a charge in the energy source, and an operating mode. 24. The explosive device of claim 23, further comprising status output circuitry electrically coupled to the microcontroller, the status output circuitry configured to provide information external to the electronic switching device that is related to the at least one parameter. 25. The explosive device of claim 14, further comprising voltage converting circuitry electrically coupled to the microcontroller, the voltage converting circuitry comprising: a power supply configured to receive the first signal and to convert the first signal to a third signal, wherein the third signal is configured to provide power to the microcontroller; and lag circuitry configured to provide a fourth signal to the microcontroller when the third signal reaches a predetermined steady-state level, wherein the fourth signal is configured to enable the microcontroller. 26. The explosive device of claim 25, further comprising over-voltage protection circuitry configured to limit a voltage level of the third signal. 27. The explosive device of claim 25, further comprising visible indicia of the third signal. 28. The explosive device of claim 14, further comprising a detonator monitoring circuit electrically coupled to the microcontroller, the detonator monitoring circuit configured to measure a differential voltage across the first terminal and the second terminal of the detonation device. 29. The explosive device of claim 14, further comprising blocking circuitry electrically coupled to the microcontroller, the blocking circuitry configured to receive the second signal and to limit a characteristic of the second signal, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum voltage level of the second signal, a maximum current level of the second signal, and a noise level of the second signal.