Cost-effective Quantum Measurement and Control System: SPINQ QCM System - Faster, More Accurate, More Convenient
2023.07.08 · Blog
The first two articles in this series introduced SpinQ's first generation of standardized, mass-produced superconducting quantum chips, SpinQ QPU, and the quantum chip design tool EDA "QEDA". In a complete superconducting quantum computer, the quantum chip is responsible for performing computational tasks, followed by the measurement and control system responsible for the precise manipulation of quantum bits in order to complete the operation of quantum logic gates and quantum algorithms.
If the quantum chip is regarded as the "heart" of the computer, the measurement and control system is the necessary tool to ensure the normal operation of the "heart".
Specifically, the measurement and control system generates and sends microwave pulses precisely to operate the quantum bits on the quantum chip, so as to perform the operation of quantum logic gates and quantum algorithms, , ensuring calculation accuracy, and maximizing the exponential performance of quantum computing.
Thus, a high-precision, high-reliability measurement and control system is crucial.
Difficult R&D and High Production Costs:
Creating a Cost-Effective Qubit Measurement and Control System
However, designing and realizing a high-performance superconducting qubit measurement and control system is not an easy task. Superconducting quantum measurement and control of the high number of bits and high-frequency signals and other characteristics, also lead to its R&D and production in the process of facing many challenges:
High-frequency electromagnetic signals complicate R&D. Superconducting qubit measurement and control systems operate with ultra-high frequencies from 4 GHz to 8 GHz, unlike the tens of MHz of conventional systems.
Fast calibration and system stability are needed. As the number of qubits increases, users require rapid parameter performance calibration. Insufficient system stability can lead to the need for re-calibration due to bit deviations.
High production costs. High-frequency electronics are expensive, and controlling a superconducting quantum bit can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. As the number of bits increases, so does the system's cost.
Balancing performance and cost, with the core goal of "faster, more accurate, and more convenient," SpinQ's scientists and engineers have developed a cost-effective superconducting qubit measurement and control system after three years of R&D and upgrades.
FPGA Hardware Acceleration for Faster and More Accurate Measurement and Control
In April 2023, SpinQ officially released the SPINQ Quantum Control & Measurement System, a superconducting qubit measurement and control system.
The system allows users to transmit and collect RF pulses in the 4 GHz to 8 GHz range, manipulate and read quantum bit states, and calibrate superconducting qubit parameters, operate quantum logic gates, and execute quantum algorithms.
SPINQ Quantum Control & Measurement System
The system's cost-effectiveness hinges on its measurement and control performance, reflected in efficiency and accuracy.
To improve bit measurement and control efficiency, SpinQ has focused on reducing hardware latency and increasing calibration efficiency. The SPINQ Quantum Control & Measurement System uses FPGA-based hardware acceleration, leveraging the power of dozens of FPGAs for distributed edge computing. Unlike traditional microprocessors, FPGAs enable truly parallel computing, with all logic gates operating simultaneously.
Engineers transferred data analysis and processing from the host CPU to the FPGA on the control board, reducing data transmission times and significantly improving system efficiency.
An efficient system allows for faster bit parameter calibration and re-calibration after offsets, ensuring measurement accuracy.
To enhance measurement and control accuracy, the system uses an arbitrary waveform generator model AWG-1208, with synchronization accuracy below 1 nanosecond and 16-bit vertical resolution, generating precise pulses for quantum bit control.
Standardized and Automated System Design for Ease of Operation, Maintenance, and Expansion
As the number of quantum bits grows, users seek systems that are easy to operate and maintain and that can be expanded without bulkiness.
The SPINQ Quantum Control & Measurement System features a standardized, modular, and compact design, with 1U and 3U modular units fitting into a roughly one-meter-eight cabinet. This compact layout meets the needs of 20-bit measurement and control while allowing for easy connectivity and mobility.
The system also improves ease of use with an open API interface for debugging, a built-in net-division spectrum function for parameter debugging and calibration, and support for remote FPGA program upgrades.
The system's automated calibration software processes data automatically, incorporating various judgment conditions and methods for unattended, continuous calibration of multiple bits.
This level of integration simplifies operation, reduces system complexity, and enhances stability and reliability.
The modular design in standard cabinets facilitates maintenance and disassembly, reducing potential maintenance costs, while automated calibration procedures save on labor and time, making the SPINQ Quantum Control & Measurement System cost-effective.
Looking ahead, the SPINQ Quantum Control & Measurement System aims to improve integration and reduce hardware redundancy by further integrating modules to optimize size and signal-to-noise ratio, serving superconducting quantum chip testers, machine integrators, and end users more effectively.
With independent R&D across the full chain, SpinQ provides diverse, industrial-grade quantum computing solutions, integrating the measurement and control system with the superconducting quantum chip for efficient quantum computing operation and promoting practical applications in AI, financial technology, new energy materials, and more.
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