Cosylab Launches starQ: A New Embedded Control Toolkit for Quantum Sensors
Cosylab, a global leader in control systems engineering for Science and advanced spin-off technologies, is proud to announce the launch of starQ, a pre-integrated control toolkit designed to help quantum startups and research labs transition faster from early experiments to product-ready demonstrators.
The hardware platform makes its debut at Q2B Paris, one of the leading industry events for quantum technologies. StarQ is built for teams developing quantum sensors and hybrid quantum-classical systems, especially those working with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamonds.
The system combines clean microwave signal generation, high-speed I/O, and real-time control in a compact, CE-ready device. With modular architecture, open APIs, and custom firmware options, starQ enables fast integration while preserving full customer IP ownership and white-labelling.
“Too many quantum projects bog down between proof-of-concept and product,” reminds Jernej Kokalj, Cosylab’s technical lead for quantum systems.
“StarQ is our answer to that development bottleneck. It is the engineering backbone you need to move from ‘it runs on my laptop’ stage to the ‘we can offer it as a ready product’ achievement, without reinventing the control stack.”
StarQ has already been deployed in the GIRAFFE project, which enabled the first working prototype of a diamond NV gyroscope.
“RFSoC electronics, developed by our partner Cosylab, enabled SAL to perform high fidelity nuclear spin readout with advanced quantum control algorithms and on-board signal processing in a fully embedded way, without the need of an additional computer.”
For customers seeking a ready-made, accurate and compact controller for seamless integration with NV sensors and customisable development of the final product, the value is clear:
- Faster time to MVP, with no need to hire niche control engineers;
- Reduced technical risk during integration and prototyping;
- Reliable performance and documentation for demos, grant applications, and investor briefings.
StarQ is also a natural companion to Cosylab’s broader quantum engineering services, which support customers across the full system or product lifecycle, from early design and lab setup to certification.
We designed StarQ to be reusable, extendable and easily integrated into production systems with minimal redesign.
“We’re not a product vendor pushing a one-size-fits-all box,” says Dr Gregor Cijan, Quantum Lead at Cosylab.
“StarQ is part of a larger mission: enabling quantum teams to focus on their core IP by using our hardware solution for the classical control. It’s the result of what we’ve learned building custom control systems with top-tier academic and commercial partners.”
Cosylab is exhibiting at Q2B Paris at booth E5, where attendees can meet the engineers behind the starQ controller and discuss collaboration opportunities for custom systems and grant-funded projects.
Learn more about starQ and quantum services at:
👉https://cosylab.com/solutions/quantum-starq
👉https://cosylab.com/solutions/quantum
About Cosylab
Cosylab is a global technology company, specialising in control systems for complex machines in medical, accelerator, fusion and quantum domains. With over 20 years of experience and 400+ successful projects, Cosylab helps customers turn ambitious ideas into working systems faster, safer, and with less risk.
Why starQ?
Control NV. Enable Your IP.