14. EDA for Superconductive Electronics

Electronic design automation (EDA) is essential for the computer-aided design (CAD) of large-scale systems. In this chapter, EDA methodologies, techniques, and algorithms used in superconductive electronics are discussed. The semi-custom standard cell-based design flow, common in conventional CMOS circuits, is increasingly widely adopted in modern superconductive circuits. Differences and issues in computer-aided design flows as compared to CMOS design methodologies are highlighted. The most common stages of these design flows, from high-level simulation to physical layout, are described. These stages are grouped into three areas—simulation/modeling, synthesis, and verification. For the automated synthesis process, methodologies and algorithms are described for logic synthesis and automated place and route. For the simulation and modeling process, RTL simulation based on hardware design languages and different dynamic and static circuit simulators, as well as inductance extraction tools, are described. For the verification process, timing analysis methodologies and related timing constraints suitable for modern superconductive circuits are discussed, and verification approaches are reviewed. Existing EDA tools and techniques for superconductive electronics are immature as compared to CMOS EDA tools. Significant research efforts are, however, directed at improving and developing novel algorithms and design methodologies that target superconductive circuits. The effectiveness of these tools is improving to enable large-scale superconductive systems.