We propose a compact single-flux-quantum (SFQ) lookup table (LUT) that uses CMOS decoder circuits for reconfiguration to improve scalability. Reconfiguration by external control currents. Ann×n-bit LUT is composed of a two-dimensional array of memory cells and cryo-CMOS decoders. The memory cell at the target address is set to a logic “1” state when the correspondingx- andy-directional control currents are both applied from the CMOS decoders and is reset to logic “0” when a reset current is applied. Cryo-CMOS decoders are integrated with the SFQ LUT to reduce the number of control current lines (from 2n+1 to 2log2n+2) from the room-temperature electronics for LUT reconfiguration. For demonstration, we designed and fabricated a 64-b SFQ LUT integrated with CMOS decoders using the AIST 2.5-kA/cm2Nb standard process and the Rohm 180-nm CMOS process. Experimental results confirm the correct functionality of the SFQ LUT reconfigured by the CMOS decoders. All operating SFQ memory cells in the experiment showed almost the same control current margins. The proposed reconfiguration method is scalable in terms of the number of interconnections and control current margins for SFQ memory cells.
We propose a compact single-flux-quantum (SFQ) lookup table (LUT) that uses CMOS decoder circuits for reconfiguration to improve scalability. Reconfiguration by external control currents. Ann×n-bit LUT is composed of a two-dimensional array of memory cells and cryo-CMOS decoders. The memory cell at the target address is set to a logic “1” state when the correspondingx- andy-directional control currents are both applied from the CMOS decoders and is reset to logic “0” when a reset current is applied. Cryo-CMOS decoders are integrated with the SFQ LUT to reduce the number of control current lines (from 2n+1 to 2log2n+2) from the room-temperature electronics for LUT reconfiguration. For demonstration, we designed and fabricated a 64-b SFQ LUT integrated with CMOS decoders using the AIST 2.5-kA/cm2Nb standard process and the Rohm 180-nm CMOS process. Experimental results confirm the correct functionality of the SFQ LUT reconfigured by the CMOS decoders. All operating SFQ memory cells in the experiment showed almost the same control current margins. The proposed reconfiguration method is scalable in terms of the number of interconnections and control current margins for SFQ memory cells.
We investigated the hardware implementation of an area-efficient superconducting lookup table (LUT) based on a single flux quantum (SFQ) logic by using a newly proposed small memory cell. The memory cell is composed of a nondestructive read-out (NDRO) flip-flop with input circuits that convert the input dc current to an SFQ pulse signal. The datum can be written to the selected memory cell in the 2-D memory cell array by applying bothx- andy-directional dc control currents. The data stored in the memory cell array can be reset simultaneously by applying a dc current to a common reset line. By employing the new memory cell, wiring for reconfiguring the data and resetting the memory cell array can be drastically simplified compared to that of the conventional SFQ LUT. We implemented and tested the memory cell and confirmed the correct operation with wide dc bias and input-current margins. We designed the 16-b LUT using the designed memory cells. The circuit area and the number of Josephson junctions of the 16-b LUT is reduced by approximately 24 and 41%, respectively, compared to those of the LUT based on the conventional architecture. We experimentally obtained the correct operation and reconfiguration of the 4-b LUT that uses the new memory cells with a normalized bias margin of –22 to +7%.
We have been developing Josephson-CMOS hybrid memory to realize large-scale single-flux-quantum (SFQ) digital systems. In this article, we present the first demonstration of a Josephson-cryo complementary-metal-oxide-semicoductor (CMOS) memory hybrid system composed of an SFQ microprocessor and cryo-CMOS memory. We designed a single-instruction SFQ microprocessor whose data memory is implemented using Josephson-CMOS hybrid memory with a 16 × 4-b accessible address space. The Josephson and CMOS circuits were fabricated using the AIST Nb standard process and the Rohm 180-nm process, respectively. Low-frequency tests confirmed the correct operation of the single instruction SUBNEG (subtract and branch if negative), which verifies the read and write operations of data between the SFQ microprocessor and the hybrid memory. We also demonstrate the operation of an integer sorting program, which is composed of 16 SUBNEG instructions.
Single flux quantum (SFQ) digital circuits have shown the potential for high speed/low power computation applications. Unfortunately, because of the low integration density and low driving capability of SFQ circuits, realizing large-scale memories by using only SFQ circuits is still a challenge. Josephson-CMOS hybrid memory, hybridizing high-speed, low power SFQ circuits, and high-density CMOS memories is already proposed as a solution to the large-scale memory problem in RSFQ digital systems. In this article, an SFQ-based memory controller which works up to 10 GHz clock frequencies is designed for Josephson-CMOS hybrid memory systems. The memory controller acts as a SFQ/CMOS interface between the SFQ circuit and SRAM module and generates the required waveforms for SRAM read and write operations. The circuit which has 4-b data and 2-b address lines is fabricated with AIST 2.5 kA/cm2STP2 process and operations of the circuits are verified. To demonstrate the scalability of the circuit, memory controller was scaled to 8-b data and 13-b address to control of the 64kb SRAM. Operations of the scaled memory controller are verified with analog simulations. Scaled circuit consumes 0.76 mW power in an area of 1.64 mm × 1.60 mm.
In the pursuit of quantum computing, solid-state quantum systems, particularly superconducting ones, have made remarkable advancements over the past two decades. However, achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing for next-generation applications necessitates the integration of several million qubits, which presents significant challenges in terms of interconnection complexity and latency that are currently unsolvable with state-of-the-art room-temperature control and readout electronics. Recently, cryogenic integrated circuits (ICs), including CMOS radio-frequency ICs and rapid-single-flux-quantum-logic ICs, have emerged as potential alternatives to room-temperature electronics. Unlike their room-temperature counterparts, these ICs are deployed within cryostats to enhance scalability by reducing the number and length of transmission lines. Additionally, operating at cryogenic temperatures can suppress electronic noise and improve qubit control fidelity. However, for CMOS ICs specifically, circuit design uncertainties arise due to a lack of reliable models for cryogenic field effect transistors as well as issues related to severe fickle noises and power dissipation at cryogenic temperatures. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent research on both types of cryogenic control and readout ICs but primarily focuses on the more mature CMOS technology. The discussion encompasses principles underlying control and readout techniques employed in cryogenic CMOS ICs along with their architectural designs; characterization and modeling approaches for field effect transistors under cryogenic conditions; as well as fundamental concepts pertaining to rapid single flux quantum circuits.
We describe the design of a fast single-flux-quantum decoder which can be used, e.g., in fast RAMs, general-purpose microprocessors, and communication channel switches. The core of the circuit is a tree of the single-bit SFQ demultiplexer with toggle (rather than the reset-set) control. Three new RSFQ cells: the demultiplexer, D flip-flop with complementary outputs, and serial XOR with large parameter tolerances (dc bias margins of /spl plusmn/25%, /spl plusmn/26%, and /spl plusmn/27%, respectively) have been developed for the decoder project. We have designed the first 16-bit prototype of the decoder for 1-kA/cm/sup 2/ niobium-trilayer technology and tested it at low frequencies. The circuit was completely operable except for 3 (of 16) output SFQ/DC converters. Simulations show that the circuit should allow data rate in excess of 60 Gbit/s and channel switching time below 20 ps.>
Novel reconfigurable superconductive single flux quantum (SFQ) logic devices, the functions of which can be dynamically reconfigured by inputting control signals, have been investigated. The characteristics of single flux quantum circuits can be easily modulated by applying currents or magnetic fields because of the high sensitivity of superconductive circuits. We investigated several design approaches for the realization of dynamically reconfigurable SFQ logic devices. We employed direct current injection to the logic gate using a non-destructive read-out flip-flop. By changing the internal state of the non-destructive read-out flip-flop, the logic function can be dynamically reconfigured. We have designed and tested a dynamically reconfigurable Josephson transmission line (JTL)/delay flip-flop (DFF) circuit. The measured dc bias margin was 72.5-107.2%. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the operation of a variable bit-length shift register, composed of the dynamically reconfigurable JTL/DFF circuits. The investigated design approach can be applied to more sophisticated dynamically reconfigurable single flux quantum logic gates.