sureCore developing CMOS IP Suitable for Operation at Low Temperatures Required for Quantum Computing

(ElectronicsWeekly) sureCore, the Sheffield ultra-low power embedded IP specialist, is developing a range of CMOS IP suitable for operation at the extremely low temperature required for Quantum Computing (QC) applications.
This will enable the design of Cryo-CMOS control chips that can be co-located with the qubits in the cryostat. This will help solve the current problem of extensive and performance limiting cabling used to connect the qubits with their associated control electronics usually running at room temperatures outside the cryostat.
Paul Wells, sureCore’s CEO, explained: “We are uniquely positioned to solve two of the key challenges to developing Cryo-CMOS. Currently, the standard industrial operating temperature range for most commercial CMOS process technologies is from -40°C to 125°C and this is reflected in the transistor SPICE models supplied by silicon foundries. By working closely with both industry partners and foundries, we plan to design and characterise silicon IP capable of operation down to 4°K.”
The second challenge is to ensure that the control electronics dissipates as little heat as possible so as to minimise the cooling load on the cryostat. Hence it is critical that, as far as is possible, low power design techniques are deployed. We are experts in reducing the power consumption of CMOS; our design methodologies have already demonstrated up to 50% dynamic power reduction in embedded memory IP.
sureCore already has silicon-proven, ultra-low power, embedded memory IP that it will customise for this Cryo application and will be launched as its CryoMem range.