U.S.-based Keysight Technologies Inc (NYSE: KEYS) said on Tuesday it has installed the world’s largest commercial quantum control system at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), marking a significant step in the development of large-scale quantum computing systems.
The system, now integrated into AIST’s Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT), is capable of supporting more than 1,000 qubits. It will serve as a key testbed for evaluating the performance and scalability of next-generation quantum computers.
Quantum control systems are critical components that allow classical computing systems to interact with quantum bits, or qubits. As quantum hardware increases in complexity, maintaining precision in timing, signal coherence, and noise suppression becomes increasingly difficult. Keysight said its system was designed with a scalable architecture and passed rigorous testing on those performance metrics.
“The advancement of quantum technology requires not only theoretical progress but also sophisticated engineering,” said Dr. Masahiro Horibe, Deputy Director of G-QuAT. “This 1,000-qubit control system, the world’s first and largest of its kind, enables the precise synchronization and control needed for large-scale qubit operations.”
The announcement positions Keysight as the first commercial vendor to deliver a quantum control system at this scale, the company said. The system’s deployment is part of Japan’s broader efforts to develop quantum computing capabilities and attract partnerships in advanced computing technologies.
“Control systems serve a vital role in quantum computing, acting as the bridge between classical and quantum worlds,” said Dr. Eric Holland, General Manager at Keysight Quantum Engineering Solutions. “Reaching the 1,000-qubit milestone is a significant step toward realizing quantum advantage in practical applications.”
Japan is among a group of nations ramping up investment in quantum research, alongside the United States, China, and members of the European Union, as governments and private companies race to achieve commercial breakthroughs in quantum computing.
