Some system implications of a Josephson computer technology

The Josephson technology as now understood is projected onto a current computer mainframe, the IBM 3033, to estimate its effect. This is a hypothetical projection and should not be taken in any way to represent a planned product. A three cycle critical case path is identified. Then an experimental 2.5 micron Josephson current injection logic circuit family and cache memory design are configured into a functionally equivalent Josephson package. Propagation distances in the hypothetical package are estimated to be 6% of those in the comparison mainframe; estimated cycle time is 4 ns yielding an internal performance improvement by a factor of greater than 14. The Josephson version of the IBM 3033 would entail a more than 99% reduction in regulated power.