학술논문

Demonstration of Interface Circuits for Adiabatic Quantum-Flux-Parametron Cell Library Using an Eight-Metal Layer Superconductor Process
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on. 33(5):1-5 Aug, 2023
Subject
Fields, Waves and Electromagnetics
Engineered Materials, Dielectrics and Plasmas
Libraries
Layout
Junctions
Inductors
Clocks
Superconducting logic circuits
Superconducting integrated circuits
Adiabatic quantum-flux-parametron (AQFP) logic
interface
rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) logic
superconducting integrated circuits
Language
ISSN
1051-8223
1558-2515
2378-7074
Abstract
In this paper, we designed and demonstrated interface circuits between AQFP (adiabatic quantum-flux-parametron) and RSFQ (rapid single-flux-quantum) circuits according to the established AQFP and RSFQ cell libraries using the MIT LL SFQ5ee process. The principles of these interfaces are based on ones that were previously designed and demonstrated using a four-metal-layer superconductor process. The AQFP-to-RSFQ interface is based on an RSFQ comparator, where an output current from an AQFP buffer is converted to an SFQ pulse output. The RSFQ-to-AQFP interface is based on an RSFQ D flip-flop, where the internal state of the D flip-flop is read out by an AQFP buffer. Thanks to the eight-metal-layer process, the interfaces can be designed with reduced circuit area compared to original designs with the four-metal-layer process. We designed, fabricated, and tested an AQFP-RSFQ hybrid multiplexer test circuit as an example of utilization of the interfaces, which results in correct operation with reasonably wide bias margins in low-frequency tests.