Waveform Generators

This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under the FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice is for information only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334515 with a small business size standard of 750 employees.

AFRL requires Waveform Generators with the following specifications:

A. HDAWG8 Arbitrary Waveform Generator The Zurich Instruments HDAWG multi-channel Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) has the highest channel density available in its class and is designed for advanced signal generation up to 750 MHz bandwidth.

Key Features:

2.4 GSa/s, 16 bit, 750 MHz signal bandwidth

5 Vpp maximum amplitude

Scalable up to 64 output channels

Highest channel density available

Less than 50 ns trigger to output delay

Digital modulation at multiple frequencies

LabOne® AWG Sequencer and Compiler

B. HDAWG8-ME Memory Extension The HDAWG-ME Memory Extension option increases the available waveform memory of the HDAWG Arbitrary Waveform Generator from 64 MSa per channel to 500 MSa per channel. This improves its capabilities for handling large libraries of waveforms for high-throughput device testing as well as for generation of wide-band chirp or noise signals.
C. HDAWG8-CNT Pulse Counter The HDAWG-CNT Pulse Counter allows the analysis of up to 8 pulse trains in parallel, enabling event-based measurements, e.g. photon detection using photo-multiplier tubes, at a maximum count rate of 300 MHz. There are four distinct modes of operation and each channel offers an adjustable discriminator with a range of ±10 V.

Key Features

4 or 8 counter modules

300 MHz maximum count rate

4 modes: free-running, gated, gated free-running, and time-tagging

4 or 8 signal inputs1 with adjustable discriminator level

Background subtraction using 2 counter modules

LabOne toolset to analyze counter measurements

D. HDAWG8-MF Multi-frequency The HDAWG-MF option extends the number of oscillators, enhancing the amplitude modulation capabilities of the HDAWG multi-channel AWG. With the multi-frequency option, you benefit from faster waveform upload and higher flexibility in tuning the carrier frequencies. This is particularly useful for applications that require many superimposed carrier frequencies.

Key Features

4 digital oscillators per AWG channel pair, instead of 1

Output adder for advanced modulation: digital I/Q, phase, amplitude, frequency

Individual frequencies up to 750 MHz

Independent envelopes for separate carriers on one channel: phase cycling, frequency-domain multiplexing

E. UHFQA Quantum Analyzer The Zurich Instruments UHFQA Quantum Analyzer is a unique tool for parallel readout of up to 10 superconducting or spin qubits with highest speed and fidelity. The UHFQA covers a frequency span of up to ±600 MHz, with nanosecond timing resolution. It features 2 signal inputs and outputs for IQ base-band operation. Thanks to its low-latency signal processing chain of matched filters, real-time matrix operations, and state discrimination, the UHFQA supports roadmaps for ambitious quantum computing projects with 100 qubits and more.

Key Features

1.8 GSa/s, ±600 MHz measurement range by single-sideband modulation

Parallel readout of up to 10 qubits

Configurable matched filters, signal conditioning, crosstalk suppression, threshold operations

12 bit dual-channel input, 14 bit dual-channel AWG

LabOne® control software (Windows and Linux) and APIs for LabVIEW®, Python, C, MATLAB®, .NET

The Government intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Zurich Instruments AG, Technoparkatrasse 1, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland

The Government has determined that no other source has commercial waveform generator offerings that can meet the experimental requirements of manipulating superconducting qubits in the desired way. Specifically, the contemplated waveform generator will be able to analyze multiple streams of data simulatneously and do so across wide-band chirp/noise signals. Likewise, the generator is specifically designed for readout of up to 10 superconducting qubits.

This is a notice of proposed contract action and not a request for competitive proposals; however, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent by email to Brooke.McDonald@us.af.mil . Responses must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.

Responses received will be evaluated; however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 01 August 2019.

A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.

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