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How to use SQBM+ on the AWS Marketplace


Step 1: Creating an AWS account

You can browse the AWS Marketplace website (https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace) without being signed in to your AWS account. However, you must sign in to subscribe to products.

You must be signed in to your AWS account to access the AWS Marketplace console.

To create an AWS account

1.Open https://portal.aws.amazon.com/billing/signup.

2.From the Sign In or Create an Account page, choose Create a New Account.

3.Follow the on-screen instructions. As part of the sign-in procedure, you will receive a phone call and you must enter a PIN using your phone keypad.

Step 2: Choosing your software

1. Navigate to TDSL page on AWS Marketplace.
https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/seller-profile?id=d204c622-7c0d-4510-8686-2bfb3213afa8

2.Choose Continue to Subscribe.

If you aren't already signed in, you are directed to sign in to AWS Marketplace. If you already have an AWS account, you can use that account to sign in. If you don't already have an AWS account, see Step 1: Creating an AWS account.

3.Read the offer terms, then choose Accept Contract to agree to the subscription offer. It may take a moment for the subscription action to complete. When it does, you receive an email message about the subscription terms, and then you're able to continue. Choose Continue to Configuration to configure and launch your software.

Step 3: Configuring your software

1.On the Configure this software page, select 64-bit (x86) Amazon Machine Image (AMI) for the Delivery Method.

2.Choose the latest version available for Software Version.

3.Choose the Region you want to launch the product in.

4.Select Continue to Launch.

Step 4: Launching your software on Amazon EC2

When you're satisfied with your settings, choose Launch.

See the AWS documentation for details.

Become a Partner

We are looking for partners for joint research and joint development aiming to solve "combinatorial optimization problems" in various fields such as finance, drug discovery, genetic engineering, logistics, and AI. Collaboration with companies, universities, and research institutes that have specialized knowledge is essential to solving increasingly complex social issues. Please contact us for details.

FAQ

General


What is SQBM+?

SQBM+ is a quantum-inspired optimization solution based on the Simulated Bifurcation Machine that is a combinatorial optimization solver utilizing the Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm developed by Toshiba Corporation.   > About SQBM+


What can I do with SQBM+?

With SQBM+, you can solve large-scale "combinatorial optimization problems" at high speed. SQBM+ can be implemented on general-purpose computers using GPUs and FPGAs, so you can now work on solving combinatorial optimization problems in various situations in society and industry.


What is the quantum-inspired?

The quantum-inspired is a new classical mechanical method derived from or directly inspired by a calculation method based on the principles of quantum mechanics. Also known as "pseudo-quantum".


Why is the service named “SQBM+”?

SQBM is an acronym for “Simulated Quantum-inspired Bifurcation Machine”, which means that it is derived from the Simulated Bifurcation Machine (SBM) that implement the Simulation Bifurcation Algorithm (SB Algorithm) invented in the research process for quantum computers at Toshiba's R&D centers. The “+” indicates that this solution includes various services and indicates our intention to continuously strengthen the solution.


What is a combinatorial optimization problem?

A combinatorial optimization problem is a problem for finding the best combination among an exponential number of candidates. With an increase in the problem size, i.e., the number of combinations in total, it is practically impossible to exhaustively test every combination and arrive at a good solution, which is one of the limitations of traditional computing. >What is a combinatorial optimization problem?


Why should our company be thinking about combinatorial optimization today?

Combinatorial optimization problems exist in various fields in society and industry, such as financial transactions, industrial robots, transportation routes, and power transmission routes. In addition, even problems that do not seem to be combinatorial optimization problems, such as molecular design for drug discovery, can sometimes be settled into combinatorial optimization problems. Combinatorial optimization problems are difficult to solve at high speed with computers because the number of combination patterns increases exponentially as the scale of the problem increases. Evolving quantum technology has made it possible to solve combinatorial optimization problems at high speed, so it is being investigated in various fields.


Can I perform academic research on SQBM+?

You can use SQBM+ for research and development in various fields in society and industry. You can use the license for R&D use. Try it before commercial use. You can also use the PoC edition. We are also looking for companies that can co-create new businesses using SQBM+ as partners, so please contact us.  > Contact us


Can I try SQBM+?

Yes. The Learn & Development Plan (Hourly with Free Trial) of SQBM+ for AWS can run exactly one instance of the software without incurring a charge. A PoC (proof of concept) edition is also available for free on the AWS Marketplace. Please try our SQBM+. > Try our SQBM+


What kind of environment is required to use SQBM+?

An AWS subscription is required to use SQBM+ on the cloud. For on-premise environments, please contact us.


What kind of products and services are provided by SQBM+?

SQBM+ is provided software modules for the cloud environments and for the on-premise environments. Furthermore, we will provide professional services such as education and support for formulation.


How am I charged for using the SQBM+?

Two SQBM+ for AWS plans are available: Learn & Development is limited to use for familiarization; Business Standard is designed to support business operations. Both plans have hourly and monthly pricing models. > SQBM+ for AWS pricing
Please contact us for software modules for the on-premise environments pricing.


How should I develop applications using SQBM+?

You develop using the SQBM+ API. First, you define a combinatorial optimization problem in a mathematical model. The application program generates matrix data according to the mathematical model and sends the matrix data to SQBM+ according to the SQBM+ API to calculate the best solution.


Can I sell systems that utilize SQBM+?

Partner licenses are available to provide end users with value-added services using SQBM+. Please contact us for details.


The SBM does not achieve the desired precision.

It is often due to how the Ising model is formulated; please go back to see if this is the case. 


Could you help me with formulating the Ising model?

Currently, we do not offer any consulting services regarding the Ising model. Contact other experts in the field.


We ran the SBM, but it timed out.

That is because processing did not complete within the time specified by MaxWait. Consider adjusting the MaxWait timeout value.

Solvers provided in SQBM+


What solvers does SQBM+ offer?

SQBM+ offers you purpose-specific solvers (TSP solver, SHIFT solver) in addition to the general-purpose Ising solver. Specific problems can be solved directly and easily by the purpose-specific solvers.


What is the Ising solver?

The Ising slover is a solver for quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problems based on the Ising model (a model in statistical mechanics that explains the magnetization behavior of a magnetic material by a lattice of spinning atoms).


What is the TSP solver?

The TSP solver is a solver that can directly solve a type of problem called "traveling salesman problem" without expressing it in QUBO.


What is the SHIFT solver?

The SHIFT solver is a solver that can directly solve shift scheduling problems such as assigning daily jobs to employees under various constraints without using QUBO.


What is the QP solver?

QP solver is a solver that can directly solve quadratic binary optimization problems with linear constraints. Compared to solving similar problems with the Ising solver, there is no need to incorporate linear constraints into QUBO and adjust penalty parameters, thus making it easier to obtain highly-accurate solutions.

SQBM+ Cloud on Azure Quantum


What is “SQBM+ Cloud on Azure Quantum”?

“SQBM+ Cloud on Azure Quantum” is a cloud service of SQBM+ for Azure Quantum, a full-stack open cloud quantum computing ecosystem published by Microsoft Corporation.
Azure Quantum brings together the most innovative quantum computing and optimization solutions into a single cloud service. SQBM+ is positioned as one of the optimization solutions provided by Azure Quantum.


How am I charged for the use of "SQBM+ Cloud on Azure Quantum"?

"SQBM+ Cloud on Azure Quantum" is a pay-as-you-go billing according to the calculation time. You will be billed according to your computing time.

the simulation bifurcation algorithm


What is the Adiabatic Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm (aSB)

The Adiabatic Simulated Bifurcation (aSB) uses the adiabatic process in classical mechanics as a principle(Note 1). The adiabatic process is a phenomenon that continues to stay in a low-energy state when the parameters of the system change slowly in a dynamic system. A computer implementing an aSB is an adiabatic Simulated Bifurcation Machine (aSBM).

(Note 1) H. Goto, K. Tatsumura, A. R. Dixon, Science Advances 5, eaav2372 (2019).
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/4/eaav2372 (American Association for the Advancement of Science.)


What is the Ballistic Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm (bSB)?

The Ballistic Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm ( bSB) is optimized and named for speed of operation, and finds good approximate solutions in a short time. It generates fewer errors than a previously reported Adiabatic Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm (aSB), and so returns faster, more accurate results. Implemented on a field programmable gate array (FPGA), dubbed the ballistic simulated bifurcation machine (bSBM), it obtains a good solution to a 2,000-bit problem approximately 10 times faster than the previous aSB machine (aSBM) .


What is the Discrete Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm (dSB)?

The Discrete Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm (dSB) is a high-accuracy algorithm. Although implemented in a classical computer, it nonetheless arrives at optimal solutions faster than current quantum machines. Its name is derived from the replacement of continuous variables with discrete variables in equations of motion. This exhibits a quasi-quantum tunneling effect that breaks through the limits of approaches grounded in classical mechanics, reaching the optimal solution of the 2000-bit problem. Toshiba has implemented dSB on a FPGA and built a discrete simulated bifurcation machine (dSBM) that achieves a higher speed than other machines in terms of computation times required to obtain optimal solutions for various problems.