60-GHz demonstration of an SFQ half-precision bit-serial floating-point adder using 10 kA/cm2 Nb process

We are developing a large-scale reconfigurable data-path (LSRDP) based on single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits to establish a fundamental technology for future high-performance computing systems. In the LSRDP, an SFQ floating-point adder (FPA) is one of the main and most complicated circuit blocks. In our previous study, we implemented an SFQ half-precision (16-bit) bit-serial FPA using the ISTEC 2.5 kA/cm² standard process, and demonstrated the correct operations at 24 GHz by on-chip high-speed tests. In this study, we designed and implemented an SFQ half-precision bit-serial FPA using a cell library for the AIST 10 kA/cm² Nb nine-metal-layer process (ADP2), and carried out on-chip high speed tests. The designed FPA contains 9661 Josephson junctions and occupies a circuit area of 12.95 mm². Its target operation frequency is 50 GHz. We have demonstrated the correct operation of the FPA at the maximum frequency of 62 GHz although there is a functional error in the design. The measured DC bias margin ranges from 102% to 108% at 50 GHz operation. The total power consumption is measured to be 2.9 mW.