Automated Passive-Transmission-Line Routing Tool for Single-Flux-Quantum Circuits Based on A* Algorithm

Masamitsu TANAKA; Koji OBATA; Yuki ITO; Shota TAKESHIMA; Motoki SATO; Kazuyoshi TAKAGI; Naofumi TAKAGI; Hiroyuki AKAIKE; Akira FUJIMAKI

doi:10.1587/transele.E93.C.435

Special Section on Frontiers of Superconductive Electronics

Automated Passive-Transmission-Line Routing Tool for Single-Flux-Quantum Circuits Based on A^* Algorithm

Masamitsu TANAKA, Koji OBATA, Yuki ITO, Shota TAKESHIMA, Motoki SATO, Kazuyoshi TAKAGI, Naofumi TAKAGI, Hiroyuki AKAIKE, Akira FUJIMAKI

Author information

Masamitsu TANAKA
Department of Information Engineering, Nagoya University
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Koji OBATA
Department of Information Engineering, Nagoya University
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Yuki ITO
Department of Information Engineering, Nagoya University
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Shota TAKESHIMA
Department of Information Engineering, Nagoya University
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Motoki SATO
Department of Information Engineering, Nagoya University
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Kazuyoshi TAKAGI
Department of Information Engineering, Nagoya University
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Naofumi TAKAGI
Department of Information Engineering, Nagoya University
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Hiroyuki AKAIKE
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Department of Quantum Engineering, Nagoya University
Akira FUJIMAKI
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST-JST)
Department of Quantum Engineering, Nagoya University

Keywords: single-flux-quantum circuit, computer-aided design, wire router, passive transmission line

JOURNAL RESTRICTED ACCESS

2010 Volume E93.C Issue 4 Pages 435-439

DOI https://doi.org/10.1587/transele.E93.C.435

Details

Abstract

We demonstrated an automated passive-transmission-line routing tool for single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits. The tool is based on the A^* algorithm, which is widely used in CMOS LSI design, and tuned for microstrip/strip lines formed in the SRL 4-Nb layer structure. In large-scale SFQ circuits with 10000-20000 Josephson junctions, such as microprocessors, 80-90% of the wires can be automatically routed in about ten minutes. We verified correct operation above 40GHz for an automatically routed 4 × 4 switch circuit from on-chip high-speed tests. The resulting circuit size and operating frequency were comparable to those of a manually designed result. We believe that the tool is useful for large-scale SFQ circuit design using conventional fabrication processes.

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