Patents by Inventor Quentin P. Herr

Quentin P. Herr has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180114568
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a superconducting gate memory circuit. The circuit includes a Josephson D-gate circuit configured to set a digital state as one of a first data state and a second data state in response to a write enable single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse provided on a write enable input and a respective presence of or absence of a write data SFQ pulse provided on a data write input. The circuit also includes a storage loop coupled to the Josephson D-gate. The storage loop can be configured to store the digital state and to readout the digital state at an output in response to a read enable SFQ pulse provided on a read enable input and a read data SFQ pulse provided on a read data input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: RANDALL M. BURNETT, QUENTIN P. HERR
  • Patent number: 9905900
    Abstract: A microwave circuit is provided that comprises a plurality of transmission lines each configured to receive and propagate a respective waveform signal of a plurality of waveform signals, and a combiner that receives and combines the plurality of waveform signals from outputs of the plurality of transmission lines into a combined output waveform signal that is output terminated by an output termination resistor. The microwave circuit further comprises a compensation signal generator that generates a compensation signal to mitigate reflections associated with the transmission of signals through the microwave circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Quentin P. Herr, Aaron A. Pesetski, Pavel Borodulin
  • Patent number: 9887700
    Abstract: A device including Josephson junctions, and a terminal for receiving a sinusoidal clock signal for providing power to the Josephson junctions, is provided. The device further includes a terminal for receiving an input signal, a clock terminal for receiving a return-to-zero clock signal, and at least one latch. The device also includes at least one logic gate including at least a subset of the Josephson junctions, for processing the input signal and the return-to-zero clock signal to generate a first signal for the at least one latch. Additionally, the device includes at least one phase-mode logic inverter for processing the return-to-zero clock signal to generate a second signal for the at least one latch. The device also includes an output terminal for providing an output of the at least one latch by processing the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Carmean, Alexander Braun, Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr
  • Patent number: 9876505
    Abstract: An isochronous receiver system is provided and includes a single flux quantum (SFQ) receiver to receive a data signal from a transmission line. The single flux quantum receiver then converts the data signal to an SFQ signal. The system also includes a converter system to convert the SFQ signal to a reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) signal and to phase-align the RQL signal with a sampling phase of an AC clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Haitao O. Dai, Quentin P. Herr, Steven B. Shauck, Anna Y. Herr, Randall M. Burnett
  • Patent number: 9812192
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a superconducting gate memory circuit. The circuit includes a Josephson D-gate circuit configured to set a digital state as one of a first data state and a second data state in response to a write enable single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse provided on a write enable input and a respective presence of or absence of a write data SFQ pulse provided on a data write input. The circuit also includes a storage loop coupled to the Josephson D-gate. The storage loop can be configured to store the digital state and to readout the digital state at an output in response to a read enable SFQ pulse provided on a read enable input and a read data SFQ pulse provided on a read data input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Randall M. Burnett, Quentin P. Herr
  • Patent number: 9787312
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying flux to a quantum-coherent superconducting circuit. In one example, a system includes a long-Josephson junction (LJJ), an inductive loop coupled to the LJJ and inductively coupled to the quantum-coherent superconducting circuit, and a single flux quantum (SFQ) controller configured to apply a SFQ pulse to a first end of the LJJ that propagates the SFQ pulse to a second end of the LJJ, while also applying a flux quantum to the inductive loop resulting in a first value of control flux being applied to the quantum-coherent superconducting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Quentin P. Herr, Ofer Naaman, Anna Y. Herr
  • Patent number: 9780765
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a Josephson current source system. The system includes a flux-shuttle loop that is inductively coupled with an AC input signal. The flux-shuttle loop includes a plurality of Josephson junctions spaced about the flux-shuttle loop and being configured, when activated, to sequentially trigger the plurality of Josephson junctions about the flux-shuttle loop in response to the AC input signal to generate a DC output current provided through an output inductor. The system also includes a flux injector that is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the flux-shuttle loop in response to an input signal to control an amplitude of the DC output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ofer Naaman, Quentin P. Herr
  • Patent number: 9653153
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a memory cell. The memory cell includes a phase hysteretic magnetic Josephson junction (PHMJJ) that is configured to store one of a first binary logic state corresponding to a binary logic-1 state and a second binary logic state corresponding to a binary logic-0 state in response to a write current that is provided to the memory cell and to generate a superconducting phase based on the stored digital state. The memory cell also includes a superconducting read-select device that is configured to implement a read operation in response to a read current that is provided to the memory cell. The memory cell further includes at least one Josephson junction configured to provide an output based on the superconducting phase of the PHMJJ during the read operation, the output corresponding to the stored digital state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr, Andrew Hostetler Miklich
  • Patent number: 9646682
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) sense amplifier system. The system includes an input stage configured to amplify a sense current received at an input. The system also includes a detection stage configured to trigger at least one detection Josephson junction (JJ) in response to the amplified sense current and based on a clock signal to generate a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse. The system further includes a Josephson transmission line (JTL) stage configured to propagate the SFQ pulse to an output of the RQL sense amplifier system based on at least one output JJ and to generate a negative SFQ pulse to reset the at least one detection JJ and the at least one output JJ based on the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Miller, Quentin P. Herr, Anna Y. Herr
  • Publication number: 20170117901
    Abstract: A device including Josephson junctions, and a terminal for receiving a sinusoidal clock signal for providing power to the Josephson junctions, is provided. The device further includes a terminal for receiving an input signal, a clock terminal for receiving a return-to-zero clock signal, and at least one latch. The device also includes at least one logic gate including at least a subset of the Josephson junctions, for processing the input signal and the return-to-zero clock signal to generate a first signal for the at least one latch. Additionally, the device includes at least one phase-mode logic inverter for processing the return-to-zero clock signal to generate a second signal for the at least one latch. The device also includes an output terminal for providing an output of the at least one latch by processing the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Carmean, Alexander Braun, Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr
  • Patent number: 9543959
    Abstract: A device including Josephson junctions, and a terminal for receiving a sinusoidal clock signal for providing power to the Josephson junctions, is provided. The device further includes a terminal for receiving an input signal, a clock terminal for receiving a return-to-zero clock signal, and at least one latch. The device also includes at least one logic gate including at least a subset of the Josephson junctions, for processing the input signal and the return-to-zero clock signal to generate a first signal for the at least one latch. Additionally, the device includes at least one phase-mode logic inverter for processing the return-to-zero clock signal to generate a second signal for the at least one latch. The device also includes an output terminal for providing an output of the at least one latch by processing the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Carmean, Alexander Braun, Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr
  • Publication number: 20160370822
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a clock distribution system. The system includes a standing-wave resonator configured to receive and to resonate a sinusoidal clock signal. The standing-wave resonator includes at least one anti-node portion associated with a peak current amplitude of the sinusoidal clock signal. The system also includes at least one clock line interconnecting each of the at least one anti-node portion and an associated circuit. The at least one clock line can be configured to propagate the sinusoidal clock signal for timing functions associated with the associated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOSHUA A. STRONG, ANNA Y. HERR, QUENTIN P. HERR, STEVEN B. SHAUCK
  • Patent number: 9520181
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a JMRAM memory cell system. The system includes a phase hysteretic magnetic Josephson junction (PHMJJ) that stores one of a first binary state and a second binary state in response to a write current provided during a data write operation and to provide a superconducting phase based on the stored digital state. The system also includes a directional write element configured to provide a directional bias current during the data write operation to provide the superconducting phase of the PHMJJ in a predetermined direction corresponding to the first binary state. The system further includes at least one Josephson junction having a critical current that is based on the superconducting phase of the PHMJJ and being configured to provide an output corresponding to the stored digital state in response to a read current that is provided during a read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Miller, Andrew Hostetler Miklich, Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr, William Robert Reohr
  • Publication number: 20160322689
    Abstract: A microwave circuit is provided that comprises a plurality of transmission lines each configured to receive and propagate a respective waveform signal of a plurality of waveform signals, and a combiner that receives and combines the plurality of waveform signals from outputs of the plurality of transmission lines into a combined output waveform signal that is output terminated by an output termination resistor. The microwave circuit further comprises a compensation signal generator that generates a compensation signal to mitigate reflections associated with the transmission of signals through the microwave circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: QUENTIN P. HERR, AARON A. PESETSKI, PAVEL BORODULIN
  • Patent number: 9466643
    Abstract: One example includes a superconducting circuit. The circuit includes a plurality of layers comprising a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer overlying the first conductor layer, each of the first and second conductor layers comprising at least one signal element. The circuit also includes a ground grid that is conductively coupled to ground and comprises a first plurality of parallel ground lines that occupy the first conductor layer and extend in a first direction and a second plurality of parallel ground lines that occupy the second conductor layer and extend in a second direction that is orthogonal with respect to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Quentin P. Herr, Anna Y. Herr, Steven Brian Shauck, Eileen Jiwon Min
  • Patent number: 9455707
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a superconductive gate system. The superconductive gate system includes a Josephson D-gate circuit comprising a bi-stable loop configured to store a digital state as one of a first data state and a second data state in response to an enable single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse provided on an enable input and a respective presence of or absence of a data SFQ pulse provided on a data input. The digital state can be provided at an output. The readout circuit is coupled to the output and can be configured to reproduce the digital state as an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr
  • Publication number: 20160267964
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a memory cell. The memory cell includes a phase hysteretic magnetic Josephson junction (PHMJJ) that is configured to store one of a first binary logic state corresponding to a binary logic-1 state and a second binary logic state corresponding to a binary logic-0 state in response to a write current that is provided to the memory cell and to generate a superconducting phase based on the stored digital state. The memory cell also includes a superconducting read-select device that is configured to implement a read operation in response to a read current that is provided to the memory cell. The memory cell further includes at least one Josephson junction configured to provide an output based on the superconducting phase of the PHMJJ during the read operation, the output corresponding to the stored digital state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANNA Y. HERR, QUENTIN P. HERR, ANDREW HOSTETLER MIKLICH
  • Publication number: 20160164505
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a Josephson current source system. The system includes a flux-shuttle loop that is inductively coupled with an AC input signal. The flux-shuttle loop includes a plurality of Josephson junctions spaced about the flux-shuttle loop and being configured, when activated, to sequentially trigger the plurality of Josephson junctions about the flux-shuttle loop in response to the AC input signal to generate a DC output current provided through an output inductor. The system also includes a flux injector that is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the flux-shuttle loop in response to an input signal to control an amplitude of the DC output current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ofer Naaman, Quentin P. Herr
  • Patent number: 9292642
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for physical layout of superconductor circuits. The physical layout system and method is configured to place and route the superconducting circuits by first placing the gates in the form of gate tiles within unoccupied areas of a predetermined circuit design based on a netlist. Each gate tile type includes a particular gate type and a plurality of unassigned Josephson junctions that can be employed in the gates and/or the active interconnects. Inductive wires are then routed between gates incorporating and assigning the Josephson junctions to produce active interconnects between the I/O terminals of the gates based on connections defined in the netlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr
  • Publication number: 20160071903
    Abstract: One example includes a superconducting circuit. The circuit includes a plurality of layers comprising a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer overlying the first conductor layer, each of the first and second conductor layers comprising at least one signal element. The circuit also includes a ground grid that is conductively coupled to ground and comprises a first plurality of parallel ground lines that occupy the first conductor layer and extend in a first direction and a second plurality of parallel ground lines that occupy the second conductor layer and extend in a second direction that is orthogonal with respect to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Quentin P. HERR, Anna Y. HERR, Steven Brian SHAUCK, Eileen Jiwon MIN