Fujitsu and RIKEN develop world-leading 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer

Fujitsu Limited and RIKEN have developed a cutting-edge 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer at the RIKEN RQC-FUJITSU Collaboration Center, building on the 64-qubit version launched in October 2023 with support from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). This advancement incorporates high-density implementation techniques, marking a significant step toward practical applications of superconducting quantum computers to address complex global issues. Starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the 256-qubit quantum computer will be integrated into a hybrid quantum computing platform and offered to companies and research institutions worldwide, enabling more complex analyses and sophisticated error correction algorithms.

Moving forward, both organizations will further enhance the platform’s usability by working to enable seamless collaboration between quantum and classical computers, enabling the efficient execution of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms.

Fujitsu and RIKEN’s 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer overcomes some key technical challenges, including appropriate cooling within the dilution refrigerator which is achieved through the incorporation of high-density implementation and cutting-edge thermal design. Other key features include:

1. Scalable 3D connection structure

  • Enables efficient scaling of qubit count without requiring complex redesigns by arranging 4-qubit unit cells in a 3D configuration
  • The 256-qubit machine utilizes the same unit cell design established in its 64-qubit predecessor, effectively demonstrating the scalability of this architectural approach

2. Quadrupled implementation density within dilution refrigerator

  • Quadrupled implementation density achieved within the dilution refrigerator, allowing the 256-qubit machine to operate within the same cooling unit as the 64-qubit system
  • Highly optimized design that carefully balances heat generation from control circuits with the cooling capacity of the refrigerator, while maintaining the necessary ultra-high vacuum and extremely low temperatures

Fujitsu is committed to accelerating the practical application of quantum computers from both hardware and software perspectives. Through its platform for hybrid quantum computing, Fujitsu will provide larger-scale quantum computers to global companies and research institutions conducting joint research in various fields, including finance and drug discovery.

Fujitsu and RIKEN will continue R&D efforts toward the launch of a 1,000-qubit computer, which is scheduled to be installed in a new building at Fujitsu Technology Park in 2026. In addition, the two organizations will extend the installation period of their Collaboration Center from March 2025 to March 2029, and will continue to work on the long-term R&D of technologies that will enable the realization of even larger superconducting quantum computers.

For more information: Fujitsu

Image: Newly developed 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer

Celera samples the first ever Analog IC completely designed by software

Celera, Alameda, Calif., the leader in fully automated, AI-enhanced analog design, is now sampling the first ever analog IC completely designed by an autonomous software platform.
Using Celera’s ChipHUB platform, the company improved engineering productivity by 10x, allowing the design of a high-performance buck (DC-to-DC) converter from specification to manufacturing release in a matter of days.

“This is a major milestone for Celera and an important breakthrough for our customers,” said Pat Brockett, Celera’s CEO. “Celera has demonstrated that end-to-end automated design of high-performance analog ICs can be done.”

“Using our patented digital twin Nesto technology, we enable our customers to achieve full custom analog IC design in days, at a fraction of the of the cost of current design methods,” said Alberto Viviani, Celera’s COO. “It’s very important to note that the resultant product designs are more than competitive with regard to die size (cost) and performance.”

Ramesh Giri, the head of product definition and applications at Celera highlighted a critical benefit to business managers – “Our design flow integrates an auto-generated behavioral model at the front-end that is tuned to actual silicon behavior. This allows system designers to do a comprehensive virtual bench road test, helping to reliably identify real-world system level issues at the front-end of the design process. This eliminates post-silicon fixes and enables faster time to market.”

“This first customer product is a state-of-the-art high voltage step down converter for industrial and automotive applications,” said Calum MacRae, CTO and founder at Celera. “Our Nesto technology simplifies analog IC design, enabling even non-IC designers to generate custom silicon. A huge benefit of our Nesto technology is that the same algorithm can be used to quickly produce whole families of buck converters in hours.”

Calum added, “Our IP is all in digital form. This allows us to train machine learning (ML) models, producing AI agents for analog design, layout, and modeling. The ability to generate large amounts of synthetic data positions Celera as the only company able to apply ML to analog design.”

“Celera’s patented technology will revolutionize the analog IC industry by making analog custom design available to all,” said Pat Brockett. “We are already engaged with major customers designing products for consumer, data center, wireless, industrial, solar and automotive applications. This is a real example where AI is changing a hundred-billion-dollar industry and we are proud to say Celera is leading that change.”

For more information:

Celera

https://www.celeratechnologies.com

 

 

Siemens opens $190M Fort Worth manufacturing hub to support AI infrastructure boom

Siemens, Germany, opened its $190 million electrical equipment manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. A part of the company’s Smart Infrastructure business, the site is responsible for creating reliable and efficient electrical equipment such as low-voltage switchboards necessary to meet the demand from the booming data center market and America’s AI growth.

The 500,000-square-foot facility has already introduced 480 new jobs and is on track to add a total of 800 roles by 2026. Tapping talent from the education sector to develop the critical manufacturing workforce of tomorrow, previous schoolteachers and principals are critical to Fort Worth facility’s employee training team. Their unique skillset has helped create curriculum that better serves different learning styles with innovative methods for both in and outside the classroom – resulting in quicker turnaround time of new employees from the classroom to the shop floor. Siemens brings new employees from the classroom through to a physical-learning lab before placing them on the production floor.

“Texas is the epicenter of innovation, where businesses and entrepreneurs can cast a vision and know they live in a state where they can achieve it,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Siemens’ $190 million investment in an electrical equipment manufacturing facility in Fort Worth will create jobs for 800 Texans and help build critical infrastructure to meet Texas’ growing data center demand. Siemens will also provide critical job training to prepare Texans for these in-demand, good-paying jobs. By working together with companies like Siemens, Texas will continue to lead the world in manufacturing and innovation as we build a stronger, more prosperous state.”

Meeting Siemens’ goal to maintain assets that are net-zero carbon in operation by 2030, the Fort Worth facility is carbon-neutral and is setting the standard for sustainable manufacturing. Featuring an all-electrical powder-coat paint line, electric forklifts, low-energy-consuming HVAC systems, photovoltaic streetlights, advanced energy monitoring, and Breakthrough Energy-backed energy-efficient LuxWall windows, the Fort Worth facility is an archetype for the future of manufacturing – lowering cost and energy usage wherever possible.

Showcasing the future of industrial automation, the facility team utilized Siemens’ Digital Industries Software to optimize the production flow. Siemens Technomatix’s 3D models were used to simulate, validate, and commission the production process so the shop floor could be designed for higher production quality.

 

For more information:

Siemens Corporation

https://www.siemens.com/