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U.S. Department of Energy
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Superconducting analog-to-digital converter with bidirectional counter

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6728491

A superconducting analog-to-digital converter is described comprising: a double-junction superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) having first and second Josephson junctions and a center-tapped load inductance; means for applying a constant gate current to the center of the load inductance; means for applying a bidirectionally varying analog signal current to the load inductance. Positive incremental changes in the analog signal current result in the generation of voltage pulses across the first junction, and negative incremental changes in the analog current signal result in the generation of voltage pulses of the same polarity across the section junction; and means for counting the voltage pulses generated across the first and second junctions, to determine the corresponding digital equivalents of the changes in the analog signal current.

Assignee:
TRW, Inc., Redondo Beach, CA
Patent Number(s):
US 4646060
OSTI ID:
6728491
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English