Quantum Computing Research Collaboration in Singapore

Keysight Technologies has entered a five-year Master Research Collaboration Agreement with Singapore’s major quantum research institutions to advance technologies for quantum computing, focusing on qubit design, measurement, and control.

Multi-institution collaboration framework
The agreement brings together Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the National University of Singapore through its Centre for Quantum Technologies (Centre for Quantum Technologies), and Nanyang Technological University. The collaboration establishes a structured framework for joint research activities aimed at overcoming key technical barriers in quantum computing.

The scope spans the full chain from quantum processor design to experimental validation, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of scalable quantum system development.

Addressing scalability and control challenges
While quantum computing offers the potential for significant advances across science and industry, practical systems face persistent challenges related to scalability, connectivity between qubits, and architectural flexibility. The collaboration targets these issues by focusing on improved design and control of quantum processor chips.

A central element of the work is the integration of Keysight’s Quantum Control Systems to enable precise execution of quantum algorithms on emerging processor architectures. These architectures are expected to incorporate more flexible gate designs, requiring highly accurate timing, synchronization, and signal integrity at the control layer.

Measurement and cryogenic characterization
Another major research area involves the characterization of qubit fabrication processes and the advancement of cryogenic measurement techniques. Reliable qubit performance depends heavily on understanding material behavior and device characteristics at extremely low temperatures.

Keysight’s measurement hardware will be used to support high-fidelity signal generation and analysis in cryogenic environments, contributing to improved insight into qubit behavior, noise sources, and variability introduced during fabrication.

Role of design and simulation tools
Scalable quantum processors require electronic design automation tools capable of handling complex, multi-qubit architectures. Keysight contributes expertise from its long-standing development of RF and microwave EDA technologies, which are increasingly relevant as quantum systems operate at microwave frequencies.

As part of the collaboration, Keysight’s QuantumPro design package will be used to support the modeling and simulation of large-scale quantum circuits. Engineers from Keysight will work directly with academic and national laboratory researchers to adapt and extend these tools for next-generation quantum processor designs.

Impact on Singapore’s quantum ecosystem
The collaboration is intended to strengthen Singapore’s position within the global quantum technology landscape by linking industrial measurement and design expertise with leading academic research. Beyond technical outcomes, the program is expected to support workforce development by training students and researchers in advanced quantum engineering methods.

By combining design, control, and measurement research within a single collaborative framework, the agreement reflects a growing trend toward tightly integrated partnerships between industry and academia in the development of practical quantum computing systems.