Superconducting Oscillator Circuit for Low-Thermal Data Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting computing systems lack high-density memory, which limits their performance due to the challenge of transmitting encoded logical bit information between superconducting and semiconductor domains, and thermal radiation from semiconductor memory poses a thermal conduction risk.
Innovation Solution
A circuit that generates frequency multiplexed signals from the superconducting domain, using a plurality of superconducting oscillator circuits to encode logical bit values into alternating current signals at different frequencies, reducing thermal conductivity by minimizing metallic interconnections and utilizing fewer interconnects between temperature domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If logical bit information is transmitted between superconducting and semiconductor domains, then data communication is enabled, but thermal radiation from semiconductor memory causes thermal conduction risk to superconducting domain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces frequency multiplexed signals as an intermediary medium for data transmission between superconducting and semiconductor domains. By encoding logical bit values into frequency-modulated carrier signals, the system enables reliable data communication while the superconducting oscillators operate at cryogenic temperatures, naturally isolating the thermal domains and preventing thermal conduction from semiconductor memory to superconducting circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical interconnections with magnetic coupling through oscillators. Superconducting oscillators convert logical bit values into frequency-modulated electromagnetic signals that can be transmitted to semiconductor domain without direct metallic contact, thereby eliminating the primary thermal conduction path while maintaining data transmission capability
2Productivity
If metallic interconnections are used to transmit signals between temperature domains, then data transmission is enabled, but thermal conductivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes metallic electrical interconnections with magnetically coupled oscillator circuits. Superconducting oscillators modulate carrier frequencies according to logical bit values, transmitting data through electromagnetic field coupling rather than direct metallic contact. This eliminates the thermal conduction pathway inherent in metallic interconnections while maintaining high-speed data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium from electrical current through metals to frequency-modulated electromagnetic signals. By operating superconducting oscillators at different carrier frequencies and using frequency multiplexing, the system achieves high data transmission rates while the cryogenic operation of superconductors inherently suppresses thermal conductivity in the interconnection path
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 efficient data transmission with reduced thermal impact, achieving 8 Gbps throughput and 6 ns latency, while maintaining the advantages of superconducting computing speed and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The oscillator stage comprises a direct current superconducting quantum interference device (DC SQUID)
Implementation Method 2
Superconducting computers use circuit elements made from superconductors, which are materials that conduct electrical current without resistance when cooled to sufficiently low temperatures
Implementation Method 3
The splitter stage is configured to change between a first current state and a second current state based at least in part on the SFQ bit value
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit configured to transmit frequency multiplexed signals from a superconducting domain to a higher temperature domain. The circuit comprising a multiplexed signal output and a plurality of superconducting oscillator circuits each configured to output a different carrier frequency, each superconducting oscillator circuit comprising an oscillator output connected to the multiplexed signal output. Each superconducting oscillator circuit comprising a converter stage configured to convert an input of a superconducting logic signal to a Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) bit value, a splitter stage electrically connected to an output of the converter stage, the splitter stage configured to change between a first current state and a second current state based at least in part on the SFQ bit value, and an oscillator stage magnetically coupled to an output of the splitter stage and electrically coupled to the oscillator output. The oscillator stage comprising a direct current superconducting quantum interference device (DC SQUID).