RISC-Q: A Generator for Real-Time Quantum Control System-on-Chips Compatible with RISC-V

Abstract

RISC-Q is introduced as an open-source, flexible generator for Quantum Control System-on-Chips (QCSoC) designed to meet the stringent, real-time demands of large-scale qubit systems. It addresses the fragmentation and scalability issues of current specialized quantum control hardware by offering a highly parameterized, modular architecture. Crucially, RISC-Q features a programming interface compatible with the RISC-V ecosystem, enabling efficient automation and reduced development effort for rapid hardware-software co-design.

Report

Key Highlights

• RISC-Q Generator: An open-source, flexible generator specifically designed for creating Quantum Control System-on-Chips (QCSoC).
• High Performance Requirements: Targets the extremely demanding needs of quantum systems, including microsecond-latency feedback and nanosecond-precision timing of gigahertz signals.
• RISC-V Compatibility: Utilizes a programming interface fully compatible with the RISC-V ecosystem, promoting integration and standardization.
• Design Automation: Developed using SpinalHDL to enable efficient automation and the generation of highly parameterized and modular QCSoC architectures.
• Efficiency Gains: The system is shown to replicate the performance of existing custom QCSoCs while significantly reducing overall development effort.

Technical Details

• Target Constraints: QCSoCs must handle precise real-time constraints far exceeding conventional systems, necessary for controlling large-scale qubit arrays.
• Development Framework: RISC-Q is implemented using SpinalHDL, a Scala-based hardware description language framework, which facilitates the creation of parameterized, configurable hardware generators.
• Architecture Type: The output is a highly configurable, modular QCSoC designed for agile and iterative development.
• Programming Interface: The use of RISC-V compatibility standardizes the software interaction layer, helping overcome fragmented toolchains common in proprietary quantum control solutions.
• Co-Design Focus: RISC-Q explicitly aims to facilitate efficient exploration of the hardware-software co-design space for customized quantum platforms.

Implications

• Standardization of Quantum Control: By aligning QCSoC development with the RISC-V ISA, RISC-Q helps standardize the instruction and control layer interface, mitigating toolchain fragmentation.
• Democratization of Quantum Hardware: Providing an open-source generator lowers the barrier to entry for institutions and researchers needing customized quantum control hardware, which is critical given the rapid diversity of quantum platforms.
• Reinforcement of RISC-V Ecosystem: This work further validates RISC-V as a viable, flexible architecture for specialized, high-performance computing tasks, extending its reach into the cutting-edge domain of quantum computing infrastructure.
• Accelerated Innovation Cycle: The automation capabilities enabled by SpinalHDL allow developers to rapidly prototype and customize hardware accelerators, accelerating the overall pace of quantum computing research and commercialization.