Signal matching from SFQ/DC converter to SiGe BiCMOS interface

Superconducting computers can be realized using a Josephson-CMOS hybrid structure, combining the high speed and low power of single-flux quantum (SFQ) logic with the high integration density of CMOS technology. However, reliable interconnection between SFQ and CMOS circuits at cryogenic temperatures remains challenging due to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and interference. To address these challenges, we propose a DC-biased SiGe BiCMOS interface that converts the 0.2 mV output of the SFQ/DC converter (Q2D) to 1.2 V for CMOS memory. A high-impedance voltage amplifier (VA) and a low-impedance transimpedance amplifier (TIA) were designed to optimize signal matching with the Q2D. The interfaces were simulated, fabricated, and tested at 4.2 K to evaluate their performance. Both analytical and experimental results demonstrate that the TIA significantly improves the SNR and enhances noise immunity during static random-access memory (SRAM) read/write operations, making it more effective than the VA for signal matching between the Q2D and CMOS circuits. This work presents a practcal solution for SFQ-CMOS interconnection, effectively addressing SNR and interference challenges and contributing to the development of scalable superconducting computing systems.

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Publication Details

Journal
IEICE Electronics Express
Published
2025-05-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1587/elex.22.20250196
Primary Topic
Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuit Design
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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Signal matching from SFQ/DC converter to SiGe BiCMOS interface

Lixing You, Zhichao Chen, Lingyun Li
IEICE Electronics Express
Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuit Design
article

Signal matching from SFQ/DC converter to SiGe BiCMOS interface

Lixing You, Zhichao Chen, Lingyun Li
article en

Abstract

Superconducting computers can be realized using a Josephson-CMOS hybrid structure, combining the high speed and low power of single-flux quantum (SFQ) logic with the high integration density of CMOS technology. However, reliable interconnection between SFQ and CMOS circuits at cryogenic temperatures remains challenging due to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and interference. To address these challenges, we propose a DC-biased SiGe BiCMOS interface that converts the 0.2 mV output of the SFQ/DC converter (Q2D) to 1.2 V for CMOS memory. A high-impedance voltage amplifier (VA) and a low-impedance transimpedance amplifier (TIA) were designed to optimize signal matching with the Q2D. The interfaces were simulated, fabricated, and tested at 4.2 K to evaluate their performance. Both analytical and experimental results demonstrate that the TIA significantly improves the SNR and enhances noise immunity during static random-access memory (SRAM) read/write operations, making it more effective than the VA for signal matching between the Q2D and CMOS circuits. This work presents a practcal solution for SFQ-CMOS interconnection, effectively addressing SNR and interference challenges and contributing to the development of scalable superconducting computing systems.

IEICE Electronics ExpressVol. 22(14)
Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 90%
Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuit Design
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Signal matching from SFQ/DC converter to SiGe BiCMOS interface — Lixing You, Zhichao Chen, et al. · IEICE Electronics Express (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS