Keysight Technologies and Singapore's Quantum Research Powerhouses Team Up to Crack Qubit Design Challenges

Quantum computing’s potential is undeniable, but scaling it from labs to real-world applications remains a steep climb. Keysight Technologies has just inked a five-year Master Research Collaboration Agreement with Singapore’s top quantum research institutions—A*STAR, National University of Singapore (NUS) through its Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore)—to tackle exactly that.

Why This Matters for Quantum’s Future

The collaboration zeroes in on three critical pain points holding quantum back: scalability, connectivity, and architectural flexibility. These aren’t abstract problems—they’re the concrete obstacles preventing quantum processors from becoming practical, reliable systems. By pooling resources across academic research and industry innovation, Keysight Technologies and Singapore’s quantum research community are positioning themselves to make measurable progress on these fronts.

What’s Actually Getting Built

The partnership breaks down into concrete technical initiatives. First up: integrating Keysight’s Quantum Control Systems (QCS) to run sophisticated algorithms on next-generation processor architectures with flexible gate designs. This is about making quantum systems more adaptable and efficient than current designs allow.

Second, there’s deep work on qubit fabrication process characterization and advancing cryogenic measurement capabilities. Keysight’s measurement hardware becomes essential here—precision measurement is where theory meets reality in quantum systems.

Third, the collaboration addresses a fundamental tool gap. Scalable quantum chip designs need robust electronic design automation (EDA) and integration tools. Keysight brings decades of expertise building EDA solutions for RF and microwave engineering, and their QuantumPro quantum circuit design package is already being adopted by research institutions worldwide. Now it’s getting co-developed with Keysight Technologies’ academic partners to handle large-scale quantum processor architectures.

Singapore’s Growing Quantum Ecosystem

This deal signals something broader: Singapore is positioning itself as a serious player in the global quantum computing race. The partnership strengthens the island’s quantum technology infrastructure while creating a pipeline of quantum scientists and engineers—tomorrow’s talent pool.

Dr. Eric T. Holland, General Manager at Keysight Quantum Engineering Solutions, framed it this way: “Long-term partnerships that embrace calculated risks are what’s needed to mature quantum computing. Singapore’s leadership in emerging tech creates the right foundation.”

The Practical Payoff

Beyond the headlines, what matters is deliverables. Keysight engineers working directly with university and national lab teams means faster iteration cycles, better knowledge transfer, and real solutions to measurement and control problems that have plagued quantum development. When academia meets industry resources, breakthroughs happen faster.

For Keysight Technologies, it’s a strategic bet on becoming the essential infrastructure provider in quantum. For Singapore’s research institutions, it’s accelerated development and global visibility. For the quantum computing field broadly, it’s another step toward systems that actually work at scale.