The Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) algorithm is gaining interest for its potential use in near-term quantum devices. In the VQE algorithm, parameterized quantum circuits (PQCs) are employed to prepare quantum states, which are then utilized to compute the expectation value of a given Hamiltonian. Designing efficient PQCs is crucial for improving convergence speed. In this study, we introduce problem-specific PQCs tailored for optimization problems by dynamically generating PQCs that incorporate problem constraints. This approach reduces a search space by focusing on unitary transformations that benefit the VQE algorithm, and accelerate convergence. Our experimental results demonstrate that the convergence speed of our proposed PQCs outperforms state-of-the-art PQCs, highlighting the potential of problem-specific PQCs in optimization problems.

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) is expected to provide network systems that offer significantly lower cost and greatly flexibility to network service providers and their users. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to implement Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) that can equal the performance of Physical Network Functions. To realize NFV systems that have adequate performance, it is critical to accurately grasp VNF workload. In this paper, we focus on the virtual firewall as a representative VNF. The workload of the virtual firewall is mostly determined by firewall rule processing and the Access Control List (ACL) configurations. Therefore, we first reveal the major factors influencing the workload of the virtual firewall and some issues of monitoring CPU load as a traditional way of understanding the workload of virtual firewalls through preliminary experiments. Additionally, we propose a new workload metric for the virtual firewall that is derived by mathematical models of the firewall workload in consideration of the packet processing in each rule and the ACL configurations. Furthermore, we show the effectiveness of the proposed workload metric through various experiments.

This paper proposes and demonstrates a 65nm CMOS process cascode single-inductor-dual-output (SIDO) boost converter whose outputs are Li-ion battery and 1V low voltage supply for RF wireless power transfer (WPT) receiver. The 1V power supply is used for internal control circuits to reduce power consumption. In order to withstand 4.2V Li-ion battery output, cascode 2.5V I/O PFETs are used at the power stage. On the other hand, to generate 1V while maintaining 4.2V tolerance at 1V output, cascode 2.5V I/O NFETs output stage is proposed. Measurement results show conversion efficiency of 87% at PIN=7mW, ILOAD=1.6mA and VBAT=4.0V, and 89% at PIN=7.9mW, ILOAD=2.1mA and VBAT=3.4V.