Design infrastructure for Rapid Single Flux Quantum circuits Original Research Article

Cryoelectronic integrated circuits based on Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) technology are promising candidates for realizing systems exhibiting very high performance in combination with very low-power consumption. Like other superconductive logic circuits, they are characterized by a high switching speed. Their unique feature consists in the particular representation of binary information by means of short transient voltage pulses. The development of RSFQ circuits and systems requires a comprehensive design approach, supported by appropriate tools. Within the recent years, a dedicated design infrastructure has been developed in Europe in close association with a foundry for digital RSFQ integrated circuits. As a result, RSFQ technology has matured to such a level that engineering efforts enable the development of integrated circuits. In the contribution, the basic features of the RSFQ circuit design are addressed within the context of technical and infrastructural issues of implementation from a European perspective.