Tools for the computer-aided design of multigigahertz superconducting digital circuits

Author

Gaj, K. ; Herr, Q.P. ; Adler, V. ; Krasniewski, A. ; Friedman, E.G. ; Feldman, M.J.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., George Mason Univ., Fairfax, VA, USA

Volume

9

Issue

1

fYear

1999

fDate

3/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

18

Lastpage

38

Abstract

The realization of large integrated circuits depends upon the application of computer-aided design (CAD) tools. This paper summarizes the results of a survey of CAD tools targeting superconducting digital electronics. Five categories of tools: circuit simulators, circuit optimizers, layout tools, inductance estimators, and logic simulators are discussed in detail. Within each category, a comparison of several currently available CAD tools is presented, and a tool which has been adapted for use or developed at the University of Rochester is discussed in greater detail. In addition, tools for timing analysis as well as integrated design environments that permit the effective data interchange among various tools and support libraries of design models are discussed. Future tools for timing optimization, automated logic synthesis, and automated layout synthesis are shown to be necessary for the design of superconducting circuits at the very large scale of integration (VLSI) level of integration. Trends regarding changes in the requirements for effective CAD tools are discussed, and expected improvements to existing tools and features of new tools currently under development are presented.

Keywords

circuit layout CAD; circuit optimisation; circuit simulation; inductance; logic CAD; logic simulation; superconducting logic circuits; timing; CAD tools; VLSI level; automated layout synthesis; automated logic synthesis; circuit optimizers; circuit simulators; computer-aided design; data interchange; design models; inductance estimators; integrated design environments; layout tools; logic simulators; multigigahertz superconducting digital circuits; timing analysis; timing optimization; Application software; Application specific integrated circuits; Circuit simulation; Computational modeling; Design automation; Integrated circuit synthesis; Superconducting integrated circuits; Superconducting logic circuits; Timing; Very large scale integration;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/77.763251

Filename

763251