Patents by Inventor Alexander Louis Braun

Alexander Louis Braun 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).

  • Patent number: 12045692
    Abstract: An output-amplifier-based reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) bias-level sensor is used to measure and/or calibrate bias parameters of AC and/or DC bias signals provided to RQL circuitry. The bias signals can include an output amplifier output bias current. The bias-level sensor includes a stack of DC SQUIDs that are supplied their inputs from outputs of respective Josephson transmission lines (JTLs) to which the SQUIDs are transformer-coupled. Staging relative strengths of the bias taps of the JTLs, or the critical currents of the Josephson junctions in the DC SQUIDs, allows an output voltage signal of the bias-level sensor to be indicative of whether a provided bias value is an improvement or optimization of the bias value when varied over a range. The outputs of two such bias-level sensors driven by I and Q clocks can be compared to adjust AC bias amplitudes of the clocks. Relative clock phase can be similarly adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haitao O. Dai, Max E. Nielsen, Alexander Louis Braun, Daniel George Dosch, Kurt Pleim, Charles Ryan Wallace
  • Patent number: 11942937
    Abstract: Pulse-generator-based reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) bias-level sensors are fabricated on an RQL integrated circuit (IC) to sample AC or DC bias values provided to operational RQL circuitry on the RQL IC. The bias-level sensors include pulse generators having strengthened or weakened bias taps (transformer couplings to RQL AC clock resonators or DC bias lines) as compared to bias taps of Josephson transmission lines in the operational RQL circuitry, or Josephson junctions (JJs) with larger or smaller critical currents as compared to JJs in the operational RQL circuitry. Pulse generators with weakened bias taps or larger JJs can have lower limits of their operational ranges placed near an optimal bias point at the centroid of the operating region of the operational RQL circuitry. The bias-level sensors can be staged by relative strength to indicate whether a provided bias value is an improvement when varied over a range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Ryan Wallace, Max E. Nielsen, Alexander Louis Braun, Daniel George Dosch, Kurt Pleim, Haitao O. Dai
  • Publication number: 20230359915
    Abstract: An output-amplifier-based reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) bias-level sensor is used to measure and/or calibrate bias parameters of AC and/or DC bias signals provided to RQL circuitry. The bias signals can include an output amplifier output bias current. The bias-level sensor includes a stack of DC SQUIDs that are supplied their inputs from outputs of respective Josephson transmission lines (JTLs) to which the SQUIDs are transformer-coupled. Staging relative strengths of the bias taps of the JTLs, or the critical currents of the Josephson junctions in the DC SQUIDs, allows an output voltage signal of the bias-level sensor to be indicative of whether a provided bias value is an improvement or optimization of the bias value when varied over a range. The outputs of two such bias-level sensors driven by I and Q clocks can be compared to adjust AC bias amplitudes of the clocks. Relative clock phase can be similarly adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: HAITAO O. DAI, MAX E. NIELSEN, ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, DANIEL GEORGE DOSCH, KURT PLEIM, CHARLES RYAN WALLACE
  • Publication number: 20230361776
    Abstract: Pulse-generator-based reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) bias-level sensors are fabricated on an RQL integrated circuit (IC) to sample AC or DC bias values provided to operational RQL circuitry on the RQL IC. The bias-level sensors include pulse generators having strengthened or weakened bias taps (transformer couplings to RQL AC clock resonators or DC bias lines) as compared to bias taps of Josephson transmission lines in the operational RQL circuitry, or Josephson junctions (JJs) with larger or smaller critical currents as compared to JJs in the operational RQL circuitry. Pulse generators with weakened bias taps or larger JJs can have lower limits of their operational ranges placed near an optimal bias point at the centroid of the operating region of the operational RQL circuitry. The bias-level sensors can be staged by relative strength to indicate whether a provided bias value is an improvement when varied over a range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: DANIEL RYAN WALLACE, MAX E. NIELSEN, ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, DANIEL GEORGE DOSCH, KURT PLEIM, HAITAO O. DAI
  • Publication number: 20230360712
    Abstract: Shift register elements of a phase-mode bit-addressable sensing register sample varied AC or DC bias values provided to operational RQL circuitry on the RQL IC via clock resonators or DC bias lines. The shift register can be constructed of phase-mode D flip-flops and JTLs as data and clock lines. A method of using the sensing register includes shifting in a data bit pattern while a bias parameter (e.g., AC amplitude, DC value, or phase) is set to a nominal value; stopping the logical clock that controls the shifting of values through the sensing register, varying the bias parameter value, inputting one assertion SFQ pulse or reciprocal pulse pair into the logical clock, restoring the bias parameter to the nominal value, restarting the logical clock to shift out an output data bit pattern, and observing the output data bit pattern to determine the effect of the bias parameter value change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, MAX E. NIELSEN, DANIEL GEORGE DOSCH, KURT PLEIM, HAITAO O. DAI, CHARLES RYAN WALLACE
  • Publication number: 20230363292
    Abstract: Reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) bias-level sensors are fabricated on an RQL integrated circuit (IC) to sample AC or DC bias values provided to operational RQL circuitry on the RQL IC. The bias-level sensors, or samplers, include Josephson transmission lines (JTLs) or logic gates having strengthened or weakened bias taps as compared to bias taps of JTLs or logic gates in the operational RQL circuitry. Sampler JTLs or logic gates with weakened bias taps to AC clock resonators can have lower limits of their operational ranges placed near an optimal bias point at the centroid of the operating region of the operational RQL circuitry. Staging relative strengths of the bias taps of the samplers in an ensemble of samplers allows for outputs of wrapper circuitry to be indicative of whether a provided bias value is an improvement or optimization of the bias value when varied over a range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: MAX E. NIELSEN, ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, DANIEL GEORGE DOSCH, KURT PLEIM, HAITAO O. DAI, CHARLES R. WALLACE
  • Patent number: 11804275
    Abstract: Shift register elements of a phase-mode bit-addressable sensing register sample varied AC or DC bias values provided to operational RQL circuitry on the RQL IC via clock resonators or DC bias lines. The shift register can be constructed of phase-mode D flip-flops and JTLs as data and clock lines. A method of using the sensing register includes shifting in a data bit pattern while a bias parameter (e.g., AC amplitude, DC value, or phase) is set to a nominal value; stopping the logical clock that controls the shifting of values through the sensing register, varying the bias parameter value, inputting one assertion SFQ pulse or reciprocal pulse pair into the logical clock, restoring the bias parameter to the nominal value, restarting the logical clock to shift out an output data bit pattern, and observing the output data bit pattern to determine the effect of the bias parameter value change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Louis Braun, Max E. Nielsen, Daniel George Dosch, Kurt Pleim, Haitao O. Dai, Charles Ryan Wallace
  • Patent number: 11569821
    Abstract: One example describes a superconducting XOR-gate system. The system includes a pulse generator configured to generate a decision pulse. The system also includes an input superconducting XOR-2 gate that receives a first superconducting logic input signal and a second superconducting logic input signal and is configured to perform a logic XOR function based on the decision pulse on a given phase of a clock signal to provide an intermediate superconducting logic output signal. The system also includes an output superconducting XOR-2 gate that receives the intermediate superconducting logic output signal and a third superconducting logic input signal and is configured to perform a logic XOR function based on the decision pulse on the given phase of the clock signal to provide a superconducting logic output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Louis Braun, Josh Lance Puckett
  • Publication number: 20220407522
    Abstract: One example describes a superconducting XOR-gate system. The system includes a pulse generator configured to generate a decision pulse. The system also includes an input superconducting XOR-2 gate that receives a first superconducting logic input signal and a second superconducting logic input signal and is configured to perform a logic XOR function based on the decision pulse on a given phase of a clock signal to provide an intermediate superconducting logic output signal. The system also includes an output superconducting XOR-2 gate that receives the intermediate superconducting logic output signal and a third superconducting logic input signal and is configured to perform a logic XOR function based on the decision pulse on the given phase of the clock signal to provide a superconducting logic output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, JOSH LANCE PUCKETT
  • Patent number: 11159168
    Abstract: Non-destructive read out (NDRO) circuits are provided for use in reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) superconducting systems. Each NDRO circuit includes a “body” circuit that provides a single or multi-state sub-critical bias current to one or many independent “tail” circuitries. Each “tail” has minimal effect on the “body” thereby preventing any interference or destruction to the state of the “body” circuitry. The circuits reduce device count and thereby increase circuit density, simplify and reduce the cost of fabrication, and provide functionality not available in existing designs, such as the ability to write a state and read it in the same operation cycle. The NDRO circuits provide more compact unit cells useful in memory or logic arrays, demanding fewer resources with increased functionality. The circuits also provide compact cells for AND, AND-OR, A-NOT-B, inverter, multiplexer, and demultiplexer gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr, Ryan Edward Clarke, Harold Clifton Hearne, III, Alexander Louis Braun, Randall M. Burnett, Timothy Chi-Chao Lee
  • Publication number: 20210083676
    Abstract: Non-destructive read out (NDRO) circuits are provided for use in reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) superconducting systems. Each NDRO circuit includes a “body” circuit that provides a single or multi-state sub-critical bias current to one or many independent “tail” circuitries. Each “tail” has minimal effect on the “body” thereby preventing any interference or destruction to the state of the “body” circuitry. The circuits reduce device count and thereby increase circuit density, simplify and reduce the cost of fabrication, and provide functionality not available in existing designs, such as the ability to write a state and read it in the same operation cycle. The NDRO circuits provide more compact unit cells useful in memory or logic arrays, demanding fewer resources with increased functionality. The circuits also provide compact cells for AND, AND-OR, A-NOT-B, inverter, multiplexer, and demultiplexer gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANNA Y. HERR, QUENTIN P. HERR, RYAN EDWARD CLARKE, HAROLD CLIFTON HEARNE, III, ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, RANDALL M. BURNETT, TIMOTHY CHI-CHAO LEE
  • Patent number: 10892761
    Abstract: A reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) wave-pipeline logic (WPL) inverting gate includes a Josephson junction-based comparator that corrects a design weakness present in other RQL WPL inverting gates that can lead to the propagation of glitches under certain timing conditions. With selective placement of pulse generators at the inputs, the RQL WPL inverting gate can be used to construct A AND (B XOR C) gates, XOR gates, NOT gates, and A-AND-NOT-B gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alexander Louis Braun
  • Patent number: 10868540
    Abstract: Non-destructive read out (NDRO) circuits are provided for use in reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) superconducting systems. Each NDRO circuit includes a “body” circuit that provides a single or multi-state sub-critical bias current to one or many independent “tail” circuitries. Each “tail” has minimal effect on the “body” thereby preventing any interference or destruction to the state of the “body” circuitry. The circuits reduce device count and thereby increase circuit density, simplify and reduce the cost of fabrication, and provide functionality not available in existing designs, such as the ability to write a state and read it in the same operation cycle. The NDRO circuits provide more compact unit cells useful in memory or logic arrays, demanding fewer resources with increased functionality. The circuits also provide compact cells for AND, AND-OR, A-NOT-B, inverter, multiplexer, and demultiplexer gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr, Ryan Edward Clarke, Harold Clifton Hearne, III, Alexander Louis Braun, Randall M. Burnett, Timothy Chi-Chao Lee
  • Patent number: 10756712
    Abstract: A reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) phase-mode flip-flop includes a storage loop and a comparator, each of which includes Josephson junctions (JJs). A data input, provided as a positive or negative single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse, is stored in the storage loop to set the storage loop in a positive or negative state, respectively, effectively biasing an output JJ shared between the storage loop and a comparator. The data input is captured to the output upon the receipt of a logical clock SFQ reciprocal pulse pair to the comparator, when one of the pulses in the pair causes the output JJ to preferentially trigger over an escape junction in the comparator, owing to the output JJ having been biased by current in the storage loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alexander Louis Braun
  • Patent number: 10615783
    Abstract: A reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) phase-mode D flip-flop accepts a data input and a logical clock input. A D flip-flop with an enable input further accepts enable input and further requires that the enable be asserted high to allow the data input to change the output on the logical clock pulse. The flip-flop includes a storage loop and a comparator, each of which includes Josephson junctions (JJs). The storage loop stores the data input, provided as a positive or negative single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse, is stored in the storage loop as positive or negative state, respectively, effectively biasing a JJ shared between the storage loop and the comparator. The data input is captured to the output upon clocking (or enabled clocking), when a clock pulse causes the shared JJ to preferentially trigger over an escape JJ in the comparator, the shared JJ having been biased by storage loop current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jack R. Powell, III, Alexander Louis Braun
  • Publication number: 20200106444
    Abstract: Non-destructive read out (NDRO) circuits are provided for use in reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) superconducting systems. Each NDRO circuit includes a “body” circuit that provides a single or multi-state sub-critical bias current to one or many independent “tail” circuitries. Each “tail” has minimal effect on the “body” thereby preventing any interference or destruction to the state of the “body” circuitry. The circuits reduce device count and thereby increase circuit density, simplify and reduce the cost of fabrication, and provide functionality not available in existing designs, such as the ability to write a state and read it in the same operation cycle. The NDRO circuits provide more compact unit cells useful in memory or logic arrays, demanding fewer resources with increased functionality. The circuits also provide compact cells for AND, AND-OR, A-NOT-B, inverter, multiplexer, and demultiplexer gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANNA Y. HERR, QUENTIN P. HERR, RYAN EDWARD CLARKE, HAROLD CLIFTON HEARNE, III, ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, RANDALL M. BURNETT, TIMOTHY CHI-CHAO LEE
  • Publication number: 20200044632
    Abstract: A reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) phase-mode D flip-flop accepts a data input and a logical clock input. A D flip-flop with an enable input further accepts enable input and further requires that the enable be asserted high to allow the data input to change the output on the logical clock pulse. The flip-flop includes a storage loop and a comparator, each of which includes Josephson junctions (JJs). The storage loop stores the data input, provided as a positive or negative single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse, is stored in the storage loop as positive or negative state, respectively, effectively biasing a JJ shared between the storage loop and the comparator. The data input is captured to the output upon clocking (or enabled clocking), when a clock pulse causes the shared JJ to preferentially trigger over an escape JJ in the comparator, the shared JJ having been biased by storage loop current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JACK R. POWELL, III, ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN
  • Publication number: 20200044656
    Abstract: Non-destructive read out (NDRO) circuits are provided for use in reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) superconducting systems. Each NDRO circuit includes a “body” circuit that provides a single or multi-state sub-critical bias current to one or many independent “tail” circuitries. Each “tail” has minimal effect on the “body” thereby preventing any interference or destruction to the state of the “body” circuitry. The circuits reduce device count and thereby increase circuit density, simplify and reduce the cost of fabrication, and provide functionality not available in existing designs, such as the ability to write a state and read it in the same operation cycle. The NDRO circuits provide more compact unit cells useful in memory or logic arrays, demanding fewer resources with increased functionality. The circuits also provide compact cells for AND, AND-OR, A-NOT-B, inverter, multiplexer, and demultiplexer gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANNA Y. HERR, QUENTIN P. HERR, RYAN EDWARD CLARKE, HAROLD CLIFTON HEARNE, III, ALEXANDER LOUIS BRAUN, RANDALL M. BURNETT, TIMOTHY CHI-CHAO LEE
  • Patent number: 10554207
    Abstract: Non-destructive read out (NDRO) circuits are provided for use in reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) superconducting systems. Each NDRO circuit includes a “body” circuit that provides a single or multi-state sub-critical bias current to one or many independent “tail” circuitries. Each “tail” has minimal effect on the “body” thereby preventing any interference or destruction to the state of the “body” circuitry. The circuits reduce device count and thereby increase circuit density, simplify and reduce the cost of fabrication, and provide functionality not available in existing designs, such as the ability to write a state and read it in the same operation cycle. The NDRO circuits provide more compact unit cells useful in memory or logic arrays, demanding fewer resources with increased functionality. The circuits also provide compact cells for AND, AND-OR, A-NOT-B, inverter, multiplexer, and demultiplexer gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anna Y. Herr, Quentin P. Herr, Ryan Edward Clarke, Harold Clifton Hearne, III, Alexander Louis Braun, Randall M. Burnett, Timothy Chi-Chao Lee
  • Patent number: 10447279
    Abstract: An inverting reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) phase-mode D flip-flop accepts a data input and a logical clock input. The flip-flop includes a stacked Josephson junction and a comparator. The triggering or untriggering of the stacked Josephson junction by positive or negative single flux quantum (SFQ) pulses can switch a direction of DC bias current through a component of the comparator, such as an output Josephson junction, which can then either pass or suppress logical clock SFQ pulses. When so passed, the data input is captured to the output upon clocking the flip-flop via the provision of the logical clock SFQ pulses, e.g., as reciprocal pulse pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alexander Louis Braun