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Superconducting Technology Assessment - nitrd

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3.1.6 RSFQ PROCESSORS – PROJECTED FUTURE CAPABILITY<br />

Chip density is a major factor in the ultimate success of RSFQ technology in HEC, and in many other nascent applications.<br />

Comparing present 1-µm RSFQ technology with 0.25-µm CMOS that has many more wiring layers, the panel can draw<br />

general conclusions about RSFQ density limits. As described further in Chapter 4, the last Northrop Grumman process could<br />

be extended to 1 million JJs/cm 2 in one year with a few readily achievable improvements in the fabrication process.<br />

This does not imply that 1 million JJs/cm 2 is the limit of RSFQ technology; greater density would be achieved from<br />

further advances in fabrication, design, and innovative concepts. For example, self-clocked circuits without bias<br />

resistors is one concept that would reduce power and eliminate the separate clock distribution circuitry, thereby<br />

reducing clock jitter and increasing gate density. The panel foresees multi-level circuit fabrication multiplying the functionality<br />

of chips as another step forward.<br />

3.2 MEMORY<br />

Cryogenic RAM has been the most neglected superconductor technology and therefore needs the most development.<br />

The panel identified three attractive candidates that are at different stages of maturity. In order of their states of<br />

development, they are:<br />

■<br />

■<br />

■<br />

Hybrid JJ-CMOS RAM.<br />

Single-flux-quantum superconductive RAM.<br />

<strong>Superconducting</strong>-magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM).<br />

To reduce risk, the panel concluded that development should commence for all three, with periodic evaluation<br />

of progress and relative investment.<br />

It is essential that the first-level memory be located very close to the processor to avoid long time-of-flight (TOF)<br />

delays that add to the latency. The panel evaluated options for cryo-RAM, including the critical first-level 4 K RAM<br />

that could be located on an MCM adjacent to the processor. Table 3.2-1 compares these memory types.<br />

TABLE 3.2-1. COMPARISON OF READINESS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CANDIDATE CRYOGENIC RAM<br />

Memory<br />

Type<br />

Readiness for<br />

Investment<br />

Potential<br />

Density<br />

Potential<br />

Speed<br />

Potential<br />

Power Dissipation<br />

Cost ($M)<br />

Hybrid JJ-CMOS<br />

High<br />

High<br />

Medium<br />

Medium<br />

14.2<br />

SFQ<br />

Medium<br />

Medium<br />

Medium-high<br />

Low-medium<br />

12.25<br />

MRAM (40 K)<br />

Medium<br />

High<br />

Medium<br />

Medium<br />

SC-MRAM (4K)<br />

Low<br />

High<br />

High<br />

Low<br />

22<br />

Monolithic<br />

RSFQ-MRAM<br />

Very low<br />

High<br />

Very high<br />

Very low<br />

Total Investment<br />

48.45<br />

52

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