In one embodiment, a scalable cross-connect switching system and its corresponding method perform a bridging operation by splitting the incoming light signal into at least a first bridged light signal and a second bridged light signal. The system includes a feedband for retaining a series of fasteners and a powered drill for sequentially driving the fasteners. After determining a common-mode voltage of a pair of differential outputs from the differential amplifier, the bias generation circuit generates a bias voltage, which is proportional to the determined common-mode voltage, to the differential amplifier such that the common-mode input voltage range of the differential amplifier is extended to as far as the rail-to-rail voltage. The apparatus closes a gap occurring on a seam serving as a vertical sealed part or a portion where the gap might occur. The memory controller also generates the status signal to indicate available space in the memory.