Zurich Instruments Launches ZQCS Quantum Control System to Address the Logical Qubit Scaling Challenge

Zurich Instruments launched the ZQCS Quantum Control System, a platform designed for the operation of large-scale quantum computers. The ZQCS addresses the technical requirements for constructing long-lived logical qubits by coordinating hundreds to thousands of channels while maintaining microsecond-scale real-time feedback loops. The system integrates scalable direct-RF electronics, deterministic real-time networking, and the LabOne Q software stack to support gate fidelities and quantum error correction (QEC).

The ZQCS utilizes a modular AdvancedTCA (ATCA) architecture, capable of delivering over 1,000 channels per 19-inch rack. The direct-RF front end operates within the first Nyquist zone to maximize signal-to-noise ratios and stabilize qubit control. For hybrid quantum-classical workflows, the system includes programmable FPGAs and high-bandwidth links to GPUs and CPUs, enabling the sub-microsecond feedback necessary for error correction. The hardware is housed in water-cooled enclosures for thermal stability and integration into high-density HPC environments.

Through the acquisition by Rohde & Schwarz in 2021, Zurich Instruments provides this technology as part of its long-term roadmap toward fault-tolerant computing. The ZQCS is currently being deployed to power error-correction experiments and scale systems from hundreds to thousands of qubits. By combining high-density RF signaling with automated calibration software, the platform provides a framework for the industrial-scale deployment of error-corrected quantum processors.

For full technical specifications and product details, consult the official Zurich Instruments announcement here.

March 9, 2026