Pulsar

In this section we will discuss the architecture of the Pulsar instruments and their rich feature set.

QCM Overview

The Qubit Control Module is an instrument completely dedicated to qubit control using parametrized pulses. The pulses are stored as waveform envelopes in memory and can be parametrized by changing gain and offset and additionally phase if also modulated. This parametrization is controlled by the AWG paths of the sequencer, which each have two waveform paths (from here on referred to as path 0 and 1). Using parametrization, the output of these paths can either be independent signals or modulated IQ signals. The two paths of each sequencer can, in turn, be connected to any output pair of the instrument (i.e. O1/2 and O3/4) to control one or more qubits per output. Additionally, the sequencers also control four marker output channels.

The figure below shows the architecture of the Pulsar QCM. Please see the Features section for more information on the numbered features in the figure.

Pulsar QCM architecture.

QRM Overview

The Qubit Readout Module is an instrument that targets qubit readout. To accomplish this, it shares the same architecture as the QCM, but in addition, each sequencer also has an acquisition path that operates on two inputs (i.e. I1/2) using two processing paths (from here on also referred to as path 0 and 1). Using parametrization, each sequencer can target one qubit for readout, allowing multiplexed readout of qubits on the same channel. The AWG paths can generate the readout pulses and the acquisition paths can process the returned readout data. The acquisition path supports three acquisition modes:

  • Scope: Returns the raw input data.

  • Integration: Returns the result after integrating the input data; optionally based on an integration function stored in memory.

  • Thresholded: Returns the binary qubit value after thresholding the integrated value.

Note

The acquisition path is still in development and only supports raw input captures (i.e. scope mode) at the moment. More modes will be added in the near future.

The results of the acquisitions are returned to the user.

The figure below shows the architecture of the Pulsar QRM. Please see the Features section for more information on the numbered features in the figure.

Pulsar QCM architecture.

Features

1. SYNQ & trigger

The Qblox SYNQ technology and trigger input enable simple and quick synchronization over multiple instruments. See section Synchronization for more information.

2. Sequencer

The sequencers are the heart(s) of the Pulsar instruments. They orchestrate the experiment using a custom low-latency sequence processor specifically designed for quantum experiments. Furthermore, they each achieve that by controlling a dedicated AWG path and, in case of a Pulsar QRM, acquisition path, which enables parametrized pulse generation and readout. Each instrument has a number of these sequencers to target multiple qubits with one instrument. See section Sequencer for more information on how to program and control them.

Note

Currently the number of sequencers per instrument is limited to the number of output channel pairs. This will be expanded in the near future.

3. Gain

Each sequencer has a dedicated gain step for both path 0 and 1, which can be statically configured using the sequencer#_gain_awg_path#() parameters. However, the gain can also be dynamically controlled using the set_awg_gain instruction of the sequence processor which enables pulse parametrization (see section Instructions). The static and dynamic gain controls are complementary.

Note

If modulated IQ signals are used for an output pair the gain .sequencer#_gain_awg_path#() has to be the same for both paths. This will become more flexible in the future with a calibration matrix.

4. Offset

Each sequencer has a dedicated offset step for both path 0 and 1, which can be statically configured using the sequencer#_offs_awg_path#() parameters. However, the offset can also be dynamically controlled using the set_awg_offs instruction of the sequence processor which enables pulse parametrization. (see section Instructions). The static and dynamic offset controls are complementary.

5. NCO & IQ mixer

Each sequencer has a dedicated numerically controlled oscillator and IQ mixer. The NCO can be used to track the qubit phase (at a fixed frequency) and the IQ mixer can be used to modulate the output.

The frequency of the NCO and phase can be statically controlled using the sequencer#_nco_freq() and sequencer#_nco_phase_offs() parameters. However, the phase of the NCO can also be dynamically controlled using the set_ph and set_ph_delta instructions of the sequence processor, which enables pulse parametrization and execution of virtual Z-gates (see section Instructions). The static and dynamic phase control is complementary. The modulation is enabled using the sequencer#_nco_mod_en parameter().

6. Sequencer multiplexer

A multiplexer that allows any sequencer to be connected to any output pair. Multiple sequencers can also be connected to a single output pair. This, in combination with the dedicated NCO and IQ mixer per sequencer, enables easy and flexible targeting of multiple qubits on a single channel.

Note

Currently there is only one sequencer for every output pair. When this is expanded in the near future, the multiplexer will be added.

7. Mixer correction

Every in- and output pair has access to a mixer correction module ideal for up or down conversion using an external mixer. The mixer correction module can compensate for mixer imperfections like IQ imbalance, phase offset and DC offset.

Note

The mixer correction will be implemented in the near future.

8. High-speed data converters

The Pulsar instruments use state-of-art 1Gbps 16-bit DACs and 1Gbps 12-bit ADCs.

9. Marker output channels

Each sequencer has control over the four marker output channels, with the control of each sequencer being OR’ed to create the final marker outputs. The markers can be dynamically controlled with the set_mrk instruction of the sequence processor (see section Instructions), but can also be overwritten with the static marker overwrite parameters sequencer#_marker_ovr_en() and sequencer#_marker_ovr_value().

10. Input gain

Dedicated amplifiers to provide additional gain to the input signals. The gain can vary between -6dB and 26dB and can be set using the in#_amp_gain() parameters.