Back to results
US 4,315,255 AGranted
Multiple-quantum interference superconducting analog-to-digital converter
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsRichard E. Harris, Clark A. Hamilton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An analog-to-digital converter using superconducting interferometers connected in parallel, each interferometer being identical. The coupling of the analog signal to each successive interferometer is increased in the ratio of 1:2:4:8:16:32:, etc. The application of a pulsed power supply to the parallel connected interferometer generates output voltages on the interferometers. The output voltages are a Gray Code representation of the analog signal.
Claims3
An analog-to-digital converter comprising:
- a plurality of superconducting inteferometers connected in parallel,
- each of said interferometers comprising at least two Josephson junctions connected in a superconducting loop,
- circuit means for coupling an analog signal as the control current to each of said interferometers with factor of two changes in coupling to each successive interferometer,
- each of said interferometers having an inductance means for coupling the input analog signal to said interferometers, and
- circuit means for connecting a gating voltage across said parallel connected interferometers for biasing all of said interferometers, whereby each interferometer for which the bias level exceeds its threshold level will switch from a zero voltage to a voltage state producing an output pulse.
2 more elements
An analog-to-digital converter comprising:
- a plurality of superconducting interferometers connected in parallel,
- each of said interferometers comprising at least two Josephson junctions connected in a superconducting loop,
- circuit means for coupling an analog signal as the control current to each of said interferometers with factor of two changes in coupling to each successive interferometer,
- said analog signal being directly injected into said interferometers by means of a resistor ladder network, and
- circuit means for connecting a gating voltage across said parallel connected interferometers for biasing all of said interferometers, whereby each interferometer for which the bias level exceeds its threshold level will switch from a zero voltage to a voltage state producing an output pulse.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.