Nowadays, the need for better and faster computing searches for solutions in the field of quantum computing. It is believed that quantum computing can and will surpass conventional, classical computing. When quantum computing surpasses classical computing, it is called quantum supremacy. There are many different projects that use different quantum technologies aim to achieve quantum supremacy, such as projects from Google and Intel. In this thesis, the reader is introduced to a new project: the Fujitsu Project. The project is a collaboration between TU Delft and Fujitsu and has the goal of fabricating a new distributed quantum quantum computer based on color centers in diamond. The focus of the thesis is the definition of the microarchitecture.

The quantum computer stack is explained in detail. Precise and robust definitions for each of the seven layers of the quantum computer stack are given, where the definition of the microarchitecure is most important. A microarchitecture is defined as the list of instructions of the lowest level before entering control electronics. To define the diamond microarchitecture, a set of goals have to be completed. Other architectures such as QuTech's QuMA and QuTech's Central Controller were identified and analyzed. Combined with the requirements of the overall diamond system architecture as defined by the project, a list of requirements for the microarchitecture is created. Using these requirements, a Quantum Instruction Set Architecture (QISA) and a microarchitecture are defined.

Based on the defined QISA and microarchitecture, a compiler is designed. The compiler is made in OpenQL. OpenQL is a framework for high-level quantum programming that targets different quantum computing platforms. The main task of the compiler is to translate high-level quantum algorithms, expressed in a high-level quantum programming language (C++/Python APIs), to quantum microcode. The quantum microcode consists of instructions that are defined in the microarchitecture.

The QISA, microarchitecture and compiler are verified against the requirements that are set at the beginning of their respective definition phases. The microarchitecture supports for all gates that are part of cQASM 1.0. In addition, it supports all diamond color center specific protocols and rules. The compiler supports all instructions from cQASM as well. Moreover, the compiler supports all standard (gate) instructions and diamond specific instructions through OpenQL's Python API.

The work is intended to be a solid baseline, where the future of the project can rely and improve upon. Possible improvements could be the adaption of the microarchitecture to the growth of the number of controlled qubits per controller, the parallelization of the microarchitecture instructions to improve instruction throughput, and alignment with the quantum network group. The compiler can also be improved with for example enhanced scheduling, differentiation between qubit types and an entanglement library. The next step in the design of the microarchitecture will be the design of a microarchitecture simulator, which takes the microcode as input and simulates the hardware architecture. ... Read more

This Bachelor graduation project has the goal to create a device which is able of automatic volume control, to be used for enhancing speech intelligibility. To tackle the intelligibility of speech through Public Address Systems (PA Systems), an Intelligibility-Enhancing Automatic Volume Control system was proposed. The total system to be made must be able to alter a clean speech signal according to a noise estimation. Then the altered, enhanced, signal should be amplified before being sent to an existing Public Address System. A subsystem is added in order to dampen the outside noise in a car-like environment. The whole project is divided into three parts: Noise Statistics Estimation, Intelligibility Enhancement and Amplifier and Noise Cancellation. These parts have been performed by three different subgroups. In this report, the Amplifier and Noise Cancellation is discussed. The other parts are explained in the respective reports [1,2]. The Amplifier and Noise Cancellation group will amplify the enhanced audio signal with the use of a pre-amplifier. This group also introduces an additional noise cancellation subsystem for usage in enclosed spaces, like a car. It does so by inverting the recorded environment noise below 500 Hz, and adding this to the to be amplified signal before sending it to the PA System. This thesis is divided in two main design sections: the design of the pre-amplifier and the design of the active noise cancellation circuit. At the heart of both circuits lies a LM386 Audio Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp) but they both have different objectives. The pre-amplifier is designed to have a flat transfer function in audio range, 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The output level of the pre-amplifier is a standard level for consumer electronics, being 447 mVpp. The pre-amplifier inverts the signal from the microphone and the audio signal to achieve noise cancellation. The noise cancellation circuit features a microphone amplifier and a Low Pass Filter (LPF). The microphone amplifier amplifies the signal so that the microphone circuit’s output level is at the same level of the audio input of the pre-amplifier (200 mVpp). The filter makes sure only sounds below 500 Hz are passed to the pre-amplifier. With the inverting capabilities of the pre-amplifier and both signals being completely out of phase, a theoretical cancellation of sound signals is possible. Because of the LPF used in the microphone amplifier this cancellation is done for signals below 500 Hz. At the end of the project, a system was built which met most of the requirements. Some of the requirements can not be satisfied due to incapability of the test equipment available. The system does amplify the signal to the desired amplitude and is capable of slightly cancelling noise in a car. However, improvements of the product are needed to function more optimally. ... Read more