The next significant phase of the Innovate UK (IUK)-funded project “Development of CryoCMOS to Enable the Next Generation of Scalable Quantum Computers” has successfully taped out, according to SureCore.
The cryogenic SPICE models and IP created for the Innovate UK (IUK)-funded project will be used to operate and measure ASICs contained within the cryostat with the qubits, will be validated using this device.
Reducing latency and cabling requires moving the control electronics within the cryostat; however, doing so requires the electronics to function at previously unheard-of temperatures—as low as 4 Kelvin—which is the project’s goal.
Paul Wells, sureCore’s CEO, said “This is the culmination of great teamwork by the consortium members who have all made invaluable contributions to this control chip design. Their cryogenic IPs have been successfully integrated by a very capable, physical design team at Agile Analog.”
Barry Paterson, Agile Analog’s CEO, added, “We are delighted to be involved in this project and gain the experience and knowledge of silicon performance at these extremely challenging cryogenic temperatures. This experience will enable future IP developments in the Quantum space.”
The graphic displays the different IP blocks. a DAC from Universal Quantum, a DAC from the University of Glasgow, and the PLL, ROM, Register File, and SRAM blocks from sureCore. The majority of the purple region that remains is control logic.
Wells added, “This is a great example of how InnovateUK bring teams of experts together to create innovation that would not be possible otherwise. This project will enable the UK to be seen as a centre of excellence not only for Quantum Computing but also for cryogenic transistor modelling as well as cryogenic IP and chip design. By working as a focused, expert team, the project has been able to successfully meet critical milestones and deadlines in a timely and efficient manner. This would not have been possible without the support of InnovateUK.”
Project Background
Utilizing its cutting-edge, ultra-low power memory design expertise, sureCore has produced embedded Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a crucial component of any digital subsystem that can function at temperatures as low as 77K (-196°C), which is required for Quantum Computers (QCs).
Furthermore, both standard cell and IO cell libraries have been recharacterized for cryogenic operation, making it possible to quickly adopt an industry-standard RTL to GDSII physical design approach.
Being able to collocate ever more complicated control circuits next to the qubits that need to be stored at cryogenic temperatures in a cryostat is a major obstacle to QC scaling.
In order to prevent extra heat from adding to the cryostat’s thermal load, it is crucial that the control chip’s power consumption be maintained as low as possible while doing this. SureCore’s low power design experience was crucial in this situation.
Since current semiconductor technology can only operate at temperatures as low as -40°C, the control electronics in current QC systems are housed outside of the cryostat.
Transistors exhibit significant changes in their operational properties when the temperature approaches absolute zero. The ability to measure, comprehend, and simulate this shift in behavior over the past few months shows promise for the development of interface devices capable of controlling and monitoring qubits at cryogenic temperatures.
Currently, the qubits stored in the cryostat are connected to the room temperature control circuits using pricey, large cabling. It will be a game-changer that will quickly enable QC scaling to allow QC developers to take use of the fabless design paradigm and build their own unique cryogenic control SoCs that can be housed with the qubits within the cryostat.
Cost savings, size reduction, and—above all—the elimination of delay are immediate advantages. The demonstrator chip will be characterized at cryogenic temperatures in the next stages in order to further hone and validate the models and enhance performance.
A comprehensive ecosystem of businesses with the knowledge and fundamental skills needed to create cryo-tolerant semiconductor intellectual property makes up the IUK-funded partnership.
The Innovate UK (IUK)-funded project goal is to produce and validate a set of foundational intellectual property (IP) that designers may license to build custom cryo-CMOS SoC solutions. They will gain a significant competitive advantage in the field of quantum computing by doing this.
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