The Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) has announced the completion of a NIST-funded research program focused on miniaturizing and improving the efficiency of control and readout electronics for quantum hardware. The initiative, supported by $1.4 million in government matching funds awarded in 2022, addresses critical bottlenecks identified in the QED-C’s “Control and Readout Electronics for Quantum Systems” roadmap. Participating member companies—Amphenol RF, Maybell Quantum Industries, Rigetti Computing, and XMA—developed hardware solutions aimed at reducing the physical footprint and thermal load of classical electronics that drive quantum processors.
Technical results from the collaboration include advancements in both room-temperature and cryogenic infrastructure. Amphenol RF optimized room-temperature readout packages to reduce weight and signal loss, while Maybell Quantum Industries and XMA focused on high-density cabling and interconnects to increase channel capacity and shrink the size of cryogenic infrastructure. To address thermal management, Rigetti Computing developed nanoscale superconducting structures that allow for direct on-chip temperature measurement, enabling real-time diagnosis of heating issues that can degrade qubit performance without complicating existing manufacturing flows.
The program’s core objectives were to locate electronics closer to the quantum processor and tighter integrate passive and active components to support industrial-scale deployment. By solving constraints related to cost, footprint, and thermal impact, these research outcomes strengthen the domestic supply chain for Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST). QED-C, managed by SRI, continues to serve as a central hub for industry-led collaborations designed to bridge the gap between laboratory prototypes and robust commercial quantum systems.
Consult the official press release for the research results here.
February 26, 2026
