ORCA Computing and BT Group recently showcased their vision for the ‘Quantum Data Centre of the Future’ (QDCF) at BT Group’s R&D centre. The project, supported by a consortium of 14 organizations and universities, aims to integrate quantum communication and computing systems with classical data centres.
Key partners include Riverlane, PQShield, NCC Group, BP, Digital Catapult, and several UK universities. The event featured a presentation of a hybrid quantum-classical data centre architecture and the introduction of the quantum technology access program. Richard Murray, CEO of ORCA Computing, and Andrew Lord, Senior Manager at BT Group, highlighted the project’s significance.
Quantum Data Centre of the Future: A Collaborative Vision by ORCA Computing and BT Group
ORCA Computing, in collaboration with BT Group, recently hosted a demonstration day at BT Group’s R&D centre, Adastral Park in Ipswich. The event was aimed at businesses, universities, data centre providers and users, and it unveiled the vision of the ‘Quantum Data Centre of the Future’ (QDCF) project. The day was filled with demonstrations of technology innovations, showcasing how quantum communication and computing systems can integrate with classical data centres.
The QDCF project is a collaborative effort led by ORCA Computing and supported by a consortium of 14 organisations and universities. The project has received backing from Innovate UK and aims to foster the development of practical computing and security applications. It also seeks to establish a blueprint for the future quantum data centre. BT Group and KETS are leading the architecture and communications project, with partners including Riverlane, PQShield, NCC Group, BP, Digital Catapult, National Composites Centre (NCC), University College London, University of Bristol, Imperial College London, University of Bath and University of Southampton.
Hybrid Quantum-Classical Data Centre Architecture: The Future of Quantum Computing
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of a hybrid quantum-classical data centre architecture. This architecture is a crucial part of the QDCF project’s vision and represents a significant step towards the development of a quantum internet. The event also introduced the quantum technology access programme, which set the stage for a series of state-of-the-art technology demonstrations.
Among the demonstrations was ORCA Computing’s PT-1 photonic quantum computer running a hybrid quantum-classical machine learning algorithm with GPUs, involving NVIDIA CUDA’s quantum demo. KETS and PQShield showcased a hybrid QKD/PQC point to point link and entropy as a service with integrated post quantum cryptography. Riverlane demonstrated a resource estimation tool which provides estimates for the number of qubits and time required for running a Computational Fluid Dynamics application on a fault-tolerant quantum computer.
Quantum Innovations: From Hollow Core Optical Fibre Cell to Quantum Key Distribution Solutions
The University of Bath showcased a hollow core optical fibre cell, which has been designed and fabricated for use in quantum memory. The University of Bristol demonstrated the integration of different quantum key distribution (QKD) solutions, facilitating both intra-data centre and multi-access security. The University College London presented on the accuracy of computation when distributing a task among several quantum computers.
These demonstrations represent significant advancements in quantum technology and highlight the potential for quantum computing to revolutionize data centres and the internet as a whole.
Feedback and Future Directions: Towards a Quantum Internet
The demonstration day was deemed a success, with attendees actively engaged in discussions surrounding the challenges and opportunities presented by integrating quantum technologies into secure data centre environments. The feedback and insights gathered will be instrumental in creating hybrid quantum/classical use cases moving forward.
Andrew Lord, Senior Manager, Optical Networks and Quantum Research, BT Group, emphasized the importance of proving that quantum computers can be fully integrated into the next generation internet, even before full-scale quantum computers are available. This sentiment was echoed by Richard Murray, PhD, Co-founder, and CEO of ORCA Computing, who highlighted the value of the feedback and insights garnered from the event in shaping the future of quantum computing.
In conclusion, the Quantum Data Centre of the Future project represents a significant step towards the development of a quantum internet. The collaborative effort of ORCA Computing, BT Group, and their partners is paving the way for the integration of quantum technologies into secure data centre environments, setting the stage for the next generation of the internet.
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