Programmable Quantum System Controller

The Zurich Instruments PQSC Programmable Quantum System Controller brings together the instrumentation required for quantum computers with up to 100 qubits. Its ZSync low-latency, real-time communication links are designed specifically for quantum computing: the PQSC overcomes the practical limitations of traditional control methods, making automated and rapid qubit calibration routines a reality. Programming access to the powerful Xilinx UltraScale+ FPGA is the basis for developing new and optimized processing solutions for rapid tune-up and error correction adapted to the specific algorithm and computer architecture in use.

The PQSC comes with 18 ZSync ports to connect with the SHFSG or the HDAWG for qubit control and with the SHFQA for qubit readout. The UHFQA connects to the PQSC through its 32-bit DIO connector using the HDAWG as a bridge. This scalable architecture supports setups with more than 100 accurately synchronized AWG channels, and provides status monitoring to ensure quality and reliability of qubit tune-up routines. The ZSync links distribute the system clock to all instruments and synchronize all instruments to sub-nanosecond levels. Further, the links provide a bidirectional data interface to send qubit readout results to the PQSC for central processing, and to send trigger signals to the slave instruments to initiate synchronized actions. The ZSync links adhere to strict real-time behavior: all data transfers are predictable to single-clock-cycle precision. This enables the implementation of rapid tune-up procedures, syndrome decoding, and error correction routines. The LabOne control software provides a high-level interface to all instruments in the system and comes with APIs for Python, C, MATLAB^®, LabVIEW^™ and .NET.