Modular Clock Distribution for Phase-Coherent Microwave Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase-coherent microwave generators are limited in scalability, cost-effective solutions, and lack ease of expansion for large quantum computing systems, which require precise phase coherence across multiple channels.
Innovation Solution
A control arrangement utilizing a single-clock source for distributing phase-coherent oscillating signals through modular modules, each with channels, ensuring deterministic phase relations and minimal phase noise, allowing scalable and cost-effective expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing phase-coherent microwave generators are used, then phase coherence is maintained, but scalability and cost-effectiveness deteriorate for large quantum computing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent modules, each containing several channels that share a common reference clock. This segmentation allows the system to be scaled by adding modules rather than redesigning the entire system, resolving the contradiction between scalability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each module is designed as a universal building block that can be replicated and interconnected. The modules use standardized interfaces and a common reference clock distribution architecture, allowing them to perform the same function across different parts of the system while maintaining phase coherence, thus enabling scalable expansion without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of qubits is increased for practical quantum computation, then computational capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple modules, each capable of controlling a subset of qubits. This allows the system to handle a large number of qubits by distributing control across modules rather than requiring a monolithic control system, thus managing complexity while scaling qubit capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple channels within each module share a common reference clock and control infrastructure. This merging of resources reduces the overall system complexity compared to having completely independent control paths for each channel, enabling the system to support more qubits without linearly increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If phase-coherent signals are distributed to multiple channels, then quantum computing functionality is enabled, but phase noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple channels within each module share a common reference clock source. This merging of the reference source ensures that all channels derive their timing from the same low-noise clock, maintaining phase coherence across channels while enabling multi-channel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments channels into modular groups, each with its own phase-locked loop but sharing a common reference clock. This segmentation isolates phase noise within modules while the common reference maintains inter-module phase coherence, allowing expansion to many channels without proportionally increasing phase noise.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control arrangement is disclosed for providing a plurality of phase-coherent oscillating signals. It comprises a reference clock signal arrangement for providing a high-frequency reference clock signal and a plurality of modules (130) each comprising a plurality of channels (160) for providing the plurality of phase-coherent oscillating signals.