Enabling control and measurement within the cryostat.
Agile Analog, the analog IP innovators, is collaborating with sureCore, the ultra-low power embedded memory specialist, to implement a cryogenic control ASIC on the GlobalFoundries 22FDX process, as part of the Innovate UK funded project: “Development Of Cryogenic CMOS To Enable The Next Generation Of Scalable Quantum Computers.”
The consortium members created cryogenic SPICE models for the GF 22FDX process technology, and sureCore had used these to recharacterize standard cell and IO cell libraries, as well as developing low power SRAM, ROM and Register File Compilers. These cryogenic IP libraries are being used to enable the development of a test chip that will allow measurement of performance at cryogenic temperatures. Agile Analog is working closely with sureCore to implement and verify its solution.
According to Barry Paterson, CEO of Agile Analog:
Agile Analog completed the synthesis, floor planning, place and route, and design closure steps to ensure that the cryogenic test chip would be able to act as a qualification test vehicle, in order to prove that the approach adopted by this project could be a viable solution for cryogenic control ASICs.
Semiconductor process technologies are typically characterized for operation from -40C to 125C. However, in the world of quantum computing, where operational qubits demand temperatures even lower than 4K, co-locating the control electronics close to the qubits within the cryostat is crucial for quantum computer scaling. To achieve their true potential, there is a need to dramatically increase the number of qubits, from the several hundred that is possible today to millions. These qubits have to be controlled, and currently this is done by using external control electronics housed outside of the cryostat at room temperature. By generating semiconductor IP that can operate at cryogenic temperatures, quantum computing developers can quickly design their own control ASICs that can be co-located with the qubits in the cryostat.
Paul Wells, CEO of sureCore, commented on this collaboration:
Barry Paterson concluded:
sureCore, SureFIT and When low power is paramount are trademarks of sureCore Ltd
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners
Link to Press Release
Agile Analog, the analog IP innovators, is collaborating with sureCore, the ultra-low power embedded memory specialist, to implement a cryogenic control ASIC on the GlobalFoundries 22FDX process, as part of the Innovate UK funded project: “Development Of Cryogenic CMOS To Enable The Next Generation Of Scalable Quantum Computers.”
The consortium members created cryogenic SPICE models for the GF 22FDX process technology, and sureCore had used these to recharacterize standard cell and IO cell libraries, as well as developing low power SRAM, ROM and Register File Compilers. These cryogenic IP libraries are being used to enable the development of a test chip that will allow measurement of performance at cryogenic temperatures. Agile Analog is working closely with sureCore to implement and verify its solution.
According to Barry Paterson, CEO of Agile Analog:
Agile Analog completed the synthesis, floor planning, place and route, and design closure steps to ensure that the cryogenic test chip would be able to act as a qualification test vehicle, in order to prove that the approach adopted by this project could be a viable solution for cryogenic control ASICs.
Semiconductor process technologies are typically characterized for operation from -40C to 125C. However, in the world of quantum computing, where operational qubits demand temperatures even lower than 4K, co-locating the control electronics close to the qubits within the cryostat is crucial for quantum computer scaling. To achieve their true potential, there is a need to dramatically increase the number of qubits, from the several hundred that is possible today to millions. These qubits have to be controlled, and currently this is done by using external control electronics housed outside of the cryostat at room temperature. By generating semiconductor IP that can operate at cryogenic temperatures, quantum computing developers can quickly design their own control ASICs that can be co-located with the qubits in the cryostat.
Paul Wells, CEO of sureCore, commented on this collaboration:
Barry Paterson concluded:
AGILE ANALOG – ANALOG IP THE WAY YOU WANT IT
Agile Analog is transforming the world of analog IP with Composa™, its innovative, highly configurable, multi-process analog IP technology. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with a growing number of customers across the globe, Agile Analog has developed a unique way to automatically generate analog IP that meet the customer’s exact specifications, for any foundry and on any process, from legacy nodes right up to the leading edge. The company provides a wide-range of novel analog IP and subsystems for data conversion, power management, IC monitoring, security and always-on domains, with applications including; data centers/HPC, IoT, AI, quantum computing, automotive, aerospace and defense. The digitally wrapped and verified solutions can be seamlessly integrated into any SoC, significantly reducing complexity, time and costs, helping to accelerate innovation in semiconductor design. www.agileanalog.comSURECORE™ – WHEN LOW POWER IS PARAMOUNT™
sureCore, the ultra-low power, embedded memory specialist, is the low-power innovator who empowers the IC design community to meet aggressive power budgets through a portfolio of ultra-low power memory design services and standard IP products. sureCore’s low-power engineering methodologies and design flows meet the most exacting memory requirements with a comprehensive product and design services portfolio that create clear market differentiation for customers. The company’s low-power product line encompasses a range of close to near-threshold, silicon proven, process-independent SRAM IP. www.sure-core.comsureCore, SureFIT and When low power is paramount are trademarks of sureCore Ltd
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners
Link to Press Release