Hybrid Analog Digital Processor for Quantum Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computational devices, such as digital computers, face limitations in solving complex problems like protein folding and optimization issues due to their reliance on classical computing methods, which result in unfavorable scaling with problem size and time constraints.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid system combining a digital processor with an analog processor, where the analog processor uses physical evolution to solve computational problems, bypassing the need for long qubit coherence times and enabling faster solutions to complex problems through adiabatic or annealing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If quantum error correction is implemented in circuit model quantum computers, then computational reliability is improved, but qubit coherence time requirements increase dramatically

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational reliabilityVSAvoidqubit coherence time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the circuit model quantum computer's gate-based computational mechanism with an analog quantum computer's physical evolution mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for discrete quantum gates and their associated error correction requirements, thereby reducing coherence time demands while maintaining computational reliability through natural quantum dynamics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operational parameters from discrete gate operations with strict coherence requirements to continuous physical evolution processes. By transforming the computational approach from digital quantum gates to analog Hamiltonian evolution, the system achieves reliable computation with significantly relaxed coherence time constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital computers are used to solve complex optimization problems, then computational universality is maintained, but solution time and scalability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational universalityVSAvoidsolution time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes digital computational mechanics with analog quantum physical evolution. By encoding optimization problems into quantum Hamiltonians and utilizing natural quantum dynamics to evolve toward optimal solutions, the system achieves exponential speedup for certain problem classes while maintaining broad adaptability through problem encoding flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from classical digital computation to quantum analog computation, adding the dimension of quantum mechanical behavior to the computational process. This dimensional shift enables parallel exploration of solution spaces through quantum superposition and tunneling, dramatically improving productivity for complex optimization problems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for efficient solving of NP-hard problems and optimization issues beyond the capabilities of traditional digital computers, providing faster and more scalable solutions by leveraging the physical properties of quantum systems.

Implementation Method 1

the analog processor uses physical evolution to solve computational problems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical evolution:

Implementation Method 2

adiabatic or annealing processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic process: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 3

adiabatic or annealing processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnnealing: Annealing

Data Source

PatentUS8874629B2Systems, devices, and methods for solving computational problems
Publication Date: 2014.10.28 D WAVE SYSTEMS INC
  • US8874629B2 patent drawing
  • US8874629B2 patent drawing
  • US8874629B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods for using an analog processor to solve computational problems. A digital processor is configured to track computational problem processing requests received from a plurality of different users, and to track at least one of a status and a processing cost for each of the computational problem processing requests. An analog processor, for example a quantum processor, is operable to assist in producing one or more solutions to computational problems identified by the computational problem processing requests via a physical evolution.