Standing-Wave Clock Resonator for Phase-Synchronized RQL Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clock distribution systems face challenges in ensuring uniform current amplitude and phase synchronization across circuits, leading to amplitude-errors and phase-errors in timing functions, particularly in reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) circuits.
Innovation Solution
A clock distribution system utilizing standing-wave resonators with anti-node portions and inductively coupled clock lines, which propagate sinusoidal clock signals to maintain equal current amplitude and phase synchronization across associated circuits, mitigating amplitude-errors and phase-errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clock distribution systems are used to propagate clock signals to multiple circuits, then clock signals can be distributed to various devices, but amplitude-errors and phase-errors occur leading to non-uniform current amplitude and poor phase synchronization across circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by coupling clock lines to specific anti-node portions of the resonator where current amplitude is maximized. Each clock line is positioned at a location where the resonator exhibits peak current characteristics, ensuring that all distributed clock signals originate from optimal points with uniform amplitude properties. This localized coupling to high-current regions resolves the amplitude uniformity issue across multiple circuit distributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The standing-wave resonator creates equipotential conditions for clock signal distribution by maintaining equal phase relationships across all anti-node portions. Since all clock lines are coupled to anti-nodes of the same resonator mode, they experience identical phase conditions and frequency references, achieving synchronized timing across all connected circuits without phase drift or timing skew.
2Productivity
If clock lines are coupled to resonator nodes to distribute clock signals, then signal propagation is achieved, but current amplitude varies across different clock lines causing amplitude-errors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves amplitude inconsistency by selectively coupling clock lines only to anti-node portions of the resonator. These anti-node locations are characterized by maximum and equal current amplitude. By positioning all clock line coupling points at equivalent anti-node locations, the system ensures that each distributed clock signal receives identical current amplitude, eliminating amplitude-errors while maintaining efficient signal propagation to multiple circuits.
3Reliability
If traditional clock distribution methods are used, then system complexity is kept simple, but amplitude-errors and phase-errors degrade timing function performance
Solution Approach 1:
The standing-wave resonator serves as an intermediary device between the clock signal source and the distributed circuits. Instead of directly connecting the clock source to multiple circuits (which causes amplitude and phase errors), the resonator mediates the signal distribution by providing standardized anti-node coupling points. This intermediary approach improves timing accuracy while adding manageable complexity through a single resonator component and inductive coupling mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively ensures consistent timing functions by maintaining equal current amplitude and phase synchronization across RQL circuits, improving the operation and reducing errors associated with clock signal propagation.
Implementation Method 1
a standing-wave resonator configured to receive and to resonate a sinusoidal clock signal
Implementation Method 2
at least one clock line inductively coupled to an associated circuit and to each of the at least one anti-node portion
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment includes a clock distribution system. The system includes a standing-wave resonator configured to receive and to resonate a sinusoidal clock signal. The standing-wave resonator includes at least one anti-node portion associated with a peak current amplitude of the sinusoidal clock signal. The system also includes at least one clock line interconnecting each of the at least one anti-node portion and an associated circuit. The at least one clock line can be configured to propagate the sinusoidal clock signal for timing functions associated with the associated circuit.