In order to develop quantum computing systems towards practically useful applications, their physical quantum bits (qubits) must be able to operate with minimal error. Recent work has demonstrated stochastic gate calibration protocols for quantum systems which are meant to track drifting control parameters and tune gate operations to high fidelity. These protocols critically rely on low-latency feedback between the quantum system and its classical control hardware, which is impossible without on-board classical compute from FPGAs or ASICs. In this work, we analyze the performance of a single-shot stochastic calibration protocol for indefinite outcome quantum circuits under various latency conditions based on timing considerations from experimental quantum systems. We also demonstrate the benefits that can be achieved with ASIC implementation of the protocol by synthesizing the classical control logic in a 28 nm CMOS design node, with simulations extended to 14 nm FinFET and at both room and cryogenic temperatures. We show that these classes of quantum calibration protocols can be easily implemented within contemporary control system architectures for low-latency performance without significant power or resource utilization, allowing for the rapid tuning and drift control of any gate-model quantum system towards fault-tolerant computation.
In order to develop quantum computing systems towards practically useful applications, their physical quantum bits (qubits) must be able to operate with minimal error. Recent work has demonstrated stochastic gate calibration protocols for quantum systems which are meant to track drifting control parameters and tune gate operations to high fidelity. These protocols critically rely on low-latency feedback between the quantum system and its classical control hardware, which is impossible without on-board classical compute from FPGAs or ASICs. In this work, we analyze the performance of a single-shot stochastic calibration protocol for indefinite outcome quantum circuits under various latency conditions based on timing considerations from experimental quantum systems. We also demonstrate the benefits that can be achieved with ASIC implementation of the protocol by synthesizing the classical control logic in a 28 nm CMOS design node, with simulations extended to 14 nm FinFET and at both room and cryogenic temperatures. We show that these classes of quantum calibration protocols can be easily implemented within contemporary control system architectures for low-latency performance without significant power or resource utilization, allowing for the rapid tuning and drift control of any gate-model quantum system towards fault-tolerant computation.
We introduce two classes of lightweight, adaptive calibration protocols for quantum computers that leverage fast feedback. The first enables shot-by-shot updates to device parameters using measurement outcomes from simple, indefinite-outcome quantum circuits. This low-latency approach supports rapid tuning of one or more parameters in real time to mitigate drift. The second protocol updates parameters after collecting measurements from definite-outcome circuits (e.g.~syndrome extraction circuits for quantum error correction), balancing efficiency with classical control overheads. We use numerical simulations to demonstrate that both methods can calibrate 1- and 2-qubit gates rapidly and accurately even in the presence of decoherence, state preparation and measurement (SPAM) errors, and parameter drift. We propose and demonstrate effective adaptive strategies for tuning the hyperparameters of both protocols. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of real-time in-situ calibration of qubits performing quantum error correction, using only syndrome data, via numerical simulations of syndrome extraction in the [[5,1,3]] code.
In this paper, we provide a system level perspective on the design of control electronics for large scale quantum systems. Quantum computing systems with high-fidelity control and readout, coherent coupling, calibrated gates, and reconfigurable circuits with low error rates are expected to have superior quantum volumes. Cryogenic CMOS plays a crucial role in the realization of scalable quantum computers, by minimizing the feature size, lowering the cost, power consumption, and implementing low latency error correction. Our approach toward achieving scalable feed-back based control systems includes the design of memory based arbitrary waveform generators (AWG’s), wide band radio frequency analog to digital converters, integrated amplifier chain, and state discriminators that can be synchronized with gate sequences. Digitally assisted designs, when implemented in an advanced CMOS node such as 7 nm can reap the benefits of low power due to scaling. A qubit readout chain demands several amplification stages before the digitizer. We propose the co-integration of our in-house developed InP HEMT LNAs with CMOS LNA stages to achieve the required gain at the digitizer input with minimal area. Our approach using high impedance matching between the HEMT LNA and the cryogenic CMOS receiver can relax the design constraints of an inverter-based CMOS LNA, paving the way toward a fully integrated qubit readout chain. The qubit state discriminator consists of a digital signal processor that computes the qubit state from the digitizer output and a pre-determined threshold. The proposed system realizes feedback-based optimal control for error mitigation and reduction of the required data rate through the serial interface to room temperature electronics.
Quantum computing promises an exponential speed-up of computation compared to what is nowadays achievable with classical computers. In this way, it enables the evaluation of more complex models and the breaching of current security algorithms. For the operation of a quantum system, many questions remain to be answered. Currently, there are several quantum technologies that promise to be both reliable and scalable, two features required for large scale quantum operations. Common to all technologies is the operating temperature that needs to be close to absolute zero, i.e. below 100 mK, to suppress environment noise and allow the quantum properties to become 'visible'. In order for any quantum processor to be operated, a so-called quantum-classical interface is required for the quantum bit (qubit) read-out and control. This interface consists of various electronic blocks, such as analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, mixers, amplifiers and a digital controller. Especially the analog blocks require effort to meet the noise and stability constraints as not to disturb the very sensitive qubits and allow reading of the tiny signals. As the qubits live in extremely deep-cryogenic temperatures, long wires interface the cryogenic with the room temperature environment, where most of the electronics is situated. However, for a scalable system, heat injection becomes a serious problem, with many wires between 300 K and sub-Kelvin. Furthermore, such amount of interconnects is challenging to mechanically place in a dilution refrigerator. Therefore, in this work, we propose to implement the electronics not at room temperature, but at a temperature much closer to the qubits, for example at 4 K. This not only reduces significantly the wiring between room temperature and the qubits, but we can also benefit from lower electronic noise at such a temperature. The operation of conventional electronics almost 200°C below its normal temperature range is not trivial as device properties alter significantly and most circuits no longer operate as intended. In CMOS processes, the main technology in the integrated electronics world, the behaviour of the transistors, required for the implementation of any circuit, deviates considerably at low temperatures. The transistor's threshold voltage goes up, the mobility increases and the subthreshold slope becomes steeper, to name just a few of these deviations. Although there are improvements in performance, there are also some counter effects, and characterization of the transistors is needed to observe the changes. Once devices are characterized at such low temperatures, new models can be built and circuits can be simulated and adapted to operate properly at cryogenic temperatures. Luckily, there are various commercially available devices that can already withstand the chills of cold. We demonstrated various commercially available devices, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) implemented in a 28 nm CMOS process, to be operating without major concerns at 4~K. Its properties alter only slightly, within 5 to 10%, and all tested circuit implementations, working at 300~K, also worked at 4 K. We combined both commercially available devices, that operate 200 K below their specified temperature range, with custom designed CMOS circuits to implement a cryogenic read-out platform for spin qubits. This system comprises amplifiers, an ADC, an FPGA, voltage regulators and a clock generator. It allows to amplify the tiny signal from the qubits and digitize it directly in the FPGA in order to process the data locally at 4~K. This system is one of the first systematic attempts at operating a part of the quantum-classical interface at cryogenic temperatures and forms the basis for future systems comprising the complete electronic interface for qubits to operate at such low temperatures. One of the main problems to tackle for cryogenic electronic systems is their power consumption. Power budgets are simply limited to roughly 1 or 2 Watts at 4 K and exponentially lower at deeper cryogenic temperatures, thus limiting the size of large-scale electronic systems. Our approach of combined commercial and custom circuits will have to be steadily replaced by a single (custom) technology that meets both power and scalability constraints. One of the best candidates is CMOS, a technology that the industry has relied upon for several decades and benefits from many optimizations thanks to Moore's law.
In the pursuit of quantum computing, solid-state quantum systems, particularly superconducting ones, have made remarkable advancements over the past two decades. However, achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing for next-generation applications necessitates the integration of several million qubits, which presents significant challenges in terms of interconnection complexity and latency that are currently unsolvable with state-of-the-art room-temperature control and readout electronics. Recently, cryogenic integrated circuits (ICs), including CMOS radio-frequency ICs and rapid-single-flux-quantum-logic ICs, have emerged as potential alternatives to room-temperature electronics. Unlike their room-temperature counterparts, these ICs are deployed within cryostats to enhance scalability by reducing the number and length of transmission lines. Additionally, operating at cryogenic temperatures can suppress electronic noise and improve qubit control fidelity. However, for CMOS ICs specifically, circuit design uncertainties arise due to a lack of reliable models for cryogenic field effect transistors as well as issues related to severe fickle noises and power dissipation at cryogenic temperatures. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent research on both types of cryogenic control and readout ICs but primarily focuses on the more mature CMOS technology. The discussion encompasses principles underlying control and readout techniques employed in cryogenic CMOS ICs along with their architectural designs; characterization and modeling approaches for field effect transistors under cryogenic conditions; as well as fundamental concepts pertaining to rapid single flux quantum circuits.
This article will review recent progress in cryogenic CMOS designs for future scaled quantum computing applications. After introducing the scaling challenges associated with qubit control and readout electronics operating at room temperature, approaches taken to date to cryogenic control electronics design will be discussed, focusing on the most recent relevant publications. Elements of ultra-low power circuit and system design approaches for cryogenic controllers in scaled CMOS nodes (40nm to 14nm) will be reviewed, including a discussion of current state-of-the art cryogenic controller performance and power efficiency. Note that leading designs, when operated as transmon qubit state controllers, have achieved gate error rates in the range of 10-4 to 10-3 achieving spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of ~40dB while consuming 4-23mW of power per qubit under active control, with power efficiency strongly driven by the complexity of the digital processor integrated in the controller design. These demonstrations, while significant, are just the first steps toward achieving the performance, efficiency, and scalability that will be required for future systems. This review article will discuss fundamental tradeoffs in CMOS cryogenic designs in order to address the needs of future scaled quantum computing systems.
Today’s quantum computing systems rely on commercial electronics operating at room temperature in order to perform control and readout operations for qubits [1] –[6]. The qubits operate at cryogenic temperatures; the signals that support control and readout of qubits therefore traverse multiple temperature stages in a dilution refrigerator to enable interaction with the qubits of a quantum computer. For many of the most advanced quantum computers built to date, the control of each individual qubit demands application of a radiofrequency pulse that is precisely calibrated in frequency, amplitude, and phase. Oubit readout demands the amplification of very low amplitude signals that are then post-processed to categorize the state of the qubit being measured. Oubit control electronics are implemented using arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) of various types. The scalability of such systems is challenged by the need to scale the number of qubit control electronics units linearly with the number of qubits in the system. One approach to mitigating this challenge that is under active exploration is the use of multi-channel AWGs (tailored to the requirements of qubit control) that operate at the 4K stage of a quantum computing system [7] –[10]. Oubit readout electronics are typically implemented using multiple stages of amplification and then DSP-based readout performed at room temperature. In today’s systems, while readout electronics benefits from multiplexing of the readout signals (enabling a single cascade of moderately wideband amplifiers to support the delivery of multiple readout signals to the room-temperature electronics), again, the scalability of this approach is challenged much as is the case with control electronics. One approach to mitigating the readout challenge is the expanded use of cryogenic electronics in the readout chain. Success in the implementation of cryogenic control and readout solutions depends critically on multiple CMOS sub-components; in this paper we focus on SRAM and low noise amplifiers (LNAs). Note that SRAM is critical for both control and readout applications as a mixed-signal solution involving the combination of a custom processor and analog elements is highly desirable in both cases. Further, while the LNA is directly used as an element in the readout chain, a deep assessment of LNA performance and opportunities strongly benefits overall understanding of achievable noise performance in CMOS technologies at cryogenic temperatures and is therefore impoitant in both control and readout contexts.