QEC Interface for real-time quantum error correction - Part 2

To enable fault tolerant quantum computing, readout data, corrections and other messages have to be transferred in real time between a control system and a quantum error correction (QEC) system. We present a QEC interface to enable such real-time communication between any control system and any QEC system, aiming for a de-facto industry standard.

We present the multi-layered structure of this interface with layers dedicated to reliable physical connection, QEC-appropriate data packets and QEC logic protocols. We explain the much greater scope of the physical layer compared to conventional interfaces, tackling reliable transfer of data packets, where the data rate for large scale logical operations and compatibility of many different FPGA platforms is considered. We show the data format over this interface, capturing readout messages, QEC feedback and configuration messages. Lastly, we show the protocol layer, which contains information about logical qubits and their interactions. We discuss how the specification of these three layers, developed with input from multiple hardware and control system partners, enables efficient real-time communication and unlocks fault-tolerant quantum computing.