Quantum circuit scheduler for QPUs usage optimization

TL;DR

The work tackles long queue times and underutilization in quantum cloud services by introducing a Quantum Circuit Scheduler that unifies circuits from multiple users into a single scheduled circuit. It demonstrates feasibility by executing combined circuits on IBM’s 127-qubit Eagle processor, achieving substantial reductions in total execution time while preserving result integrity under NISQ noise. Key contributions include a cycle-based scheduling workflow, an unscheduler to recover per-circuit results, and empirical validation across 13 algorithms showing generally similar distributions to individual runs. The approach has practical impact for reducing wait times and costs in Quantum Computing as a Service, enabling higher qubit utilization and more scalable quantum workloads.

Abstract

Progress in the realm of quantum technologies is paving the way for a multitude of potential applications across different sectors. However, the reduced number of available quantum computers, their technical limitations and the high demand for their use are posing some problems for developers and researchers. Mainly, users trying to execute quantum circuits on these devices are usually facing long waiting times in the tasks queues. In this context, this work propose a technique to reduce waiting times and optimize quantum computers usage by scheduling circuits from different users into combined circuits that are executed at the same time. To validate this proposal, different widely known quantum algorithms have been selected and executed in combined circuits. The obtained results are then compared with the results of executing the same algorithms in an isolated way. This allowed us to measure the impact of the use of the scheduler. Among the obtained results, it has been possible to verify that the noise suffered by executing a combination of circuits through the proposed scheduler does not critically affect the outcomes.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: Process of the quantum circuit scheduler
• Figure 2: Quantum circuit scheduling case study
• Figure 3: Partial example of quantum circuit unscheduling
• Figure 4: Results of the execution of the circuits in schedule compared to individual
• Figure 5: Distance between schedule and individual execution