Inductive Clock Distribution in Superconducting D Flip-Flops
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Solution Overview
Problem
CMOS technology-based digital circuits face limitations in device size and power consumption, especially at high clock speeds, due to static power maintenance and current leakage even when inactive, leading to inefficiencies in high-performance systems like data center servers.
Innovation Solution
The development of a superconducting integrated circuit using a D flip-flop configuration with inductive coupling, Josephson junctions, and superconducting quantum interference devices, which stores and annihilates fluxons in response to clock pulses, eliminating the need for Josephson transmission lines and allowing for efficient clock distribution without static power dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CMOS technology is used for digital circuits, then device integration is achieved, but power consumption increases due to static power maintenance and current leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from CMOS technology operating at room temperature to superconducting technology operating at cryogenic temperatures, fundamentally changing the operating parameters to eliminate resistive power loss and achieve zero static power consumption while maintaining high device integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic field-based CMOS operation with quantum mechanical effects (Josephson effect, fluxon dynamics) in superconducting circuits, enabling logic operations without resistive dissipation and achieving ultra-low power consumption
2Productivity
If CMOS circuits operate at high clock speeds, then processing performance improves, but power consumption increases due to dynamic and static power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter to cryogenic levels where superconductivity occurs, enabling high-speed operation without the resistive losses that limit CMOS performance at high clock speeds, thereby achieving high productivity with minimal power consumption
3Speed
If Josephson transmission lines are used for clock signal distribution, then clock signals can be transmitted, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the Josephson transmission line components from the clock distribution network and replaces them with passive superconducting inductive coupling elements, simplifying the circuit architecture while maintaining efficient clock signal transmission to multiple flip-flops
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the clock distribution function into individual inductive coupling paths from a central clock source to each flip-flop, eliminating the need for complex transmission line infrastructure and reducing overall device complexity
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
This approach enables low-power operation with zero static power dissipation, reducing power consumption and increasing the number of logic circuits on a chip, while allowing for more efficient chip layout and alternative clock signal distribution methods.
Implementation Method 1
a first Josephson junction, JJ, coupled between the first terminal and a second terminal wherein the JJ is coupled between the first inductor and the second inductor
Implementation Method 2
a superconducting quantum interference device, SQUID, coupled between the third terminal and a fourth terminal wherein the SQUID is coupled between the second inductor and the third inductor
Implementation Method 3
an inductive loop, formed between the first JJ and the SQUID, is configured to in response to receiving a first clock pulse via the clock line, store a fluxon when a state of the input data signal is high
Implementation Method 4
a clock line coupled to provide the clock signal to the at least one D flip-flop; and a return clock line, wherein the clock line and the return clock line are connected across a stacked driver to provide current for driving the clock signal
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Superconducting integrated circuits with clock signals distributed via an inductive coupling and related methods are provided. A method includes providing a D flip-flop having a clock terminal coupled to receive clock pulses from a clock line, a data input terminal, and a data output terminal. The D flip-flop may further include a first Josephson junction (JJ) coupled between a first terminal and a second terminal. The D flip-flop may further include a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) coupled between a third terminal and a fourth terminal, where an inductive loop, formed between the first JJ and the SQUID, is configured to in response to receiving a first clock pulse, store a fluxon when a state of the input data signal is high, and is configured to in response to receiving a second clock pulse to annihilate the stored fluxon when a state of the input data signal is low.