Superconductive convolver

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.1983.1062395· OSTI ID:5595446

Reible, S; Anderson, A; Ralston, R W; Withers, R; Wright, P

Concepts for realizing superconductive convolvers capable of processing analog signals having bandwidths up to 10 GHz have been developed and are being implemented. A preliminary convolver structure with 19 taps and a 14-ns interaction length has recently been demonstrated. This device employs a superconductive transmission line as a low-loss delay element and superconductive tunnel junctions as nonlinear mixing elements. The niobium delay line provides the relative shifting of signal and reference waveforms, niobium/niobium-oxide/lead mixers with proximity taps provide local multiplication of the two waveforms, and a short output transmission line provides coherent summation of the local products. The principles of device operation, design tradeoffs and experimental results are presented. Convolvers can provide the essential programmable matched-filter component for extremely wide-bandwidth spread-spectrum communication systems. It appears feasible to produce a convolver with an interaction time of about 100 ns and signal processing gains of up to 1000. This superconductive analog device offers the potential of providing a real-time programmable signal processing function with the digital equivalent of about 10/sup 12/ operations/sec.

• Research Organization: Lincoln Lab., Massachusetts Institute of Tech., Lexington, MA 02173
• OSTI ID: 5595446
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Magn.; (United States) Vol. 19:3; ISSN IEMGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHALCOGENIDES
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
FREQUENCY RANGE
GHZ RANGE
GHZ RANGE 01-100
LEAD
METALS
NIOBIUM
NIOBIUM COMPOUNDS
NIOBIUM OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS