Quantum Software Architecture Framework (QSAF): A Component-Based Framework for Designing Hybrid Quantum-Classical Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces QSAF, a component-based architecture framework for hybrid quantum-classical systems, facilitating modular design, reuse, and systematic analysis of quantum software at multiple abstraction levels.

Contribution

It develops a structured, multi-level architecture framework that links quantum primitives to system-level design, enabling better reasoning and optimization of hybrid quantum-classical software.

Findings

Identified 34 reusable quantum circuit primitives as architectural components.

Characterized components using non-functional metrics like circuit depth and error sensitivity.

Established a multi-level hierarchy linking quantum gates to system architectures.

Abstract

Quantum software development has largely focused on algorithms, with limited attention to software architecture. As computing moves toward hybrid quantum-classical systems, this gap limits scalability, reusability, and engineering rigor. This study introduces a component-based quantum software architecture framework (QSAF) for hybrid quantum-classical software systems, enabling developers to transition from circuit-level design to system-level reasoning. We identified 34 reusable quantum circuit primitives across seven functional categories and reinterpreted them as architectural components with explicit interfaces and design-relevant constraints. These components are further characterized using non-functional dimensions such as circuit depth, error sensitivity, and information flow, enabling a structured analysis of design trade-offs. The proposed QSAF framework establishes a multi-level abstraction hierarchy linking quantum gates, circuit primitives, algorithmic structures, and hybrid system architectures. Through this approach, common workflows, particularly hybrid quantum-classical workflows such as variational quantum algorithms, can be systematically decomposed, compared, and optimized. By making the architectural structure and trade-offs explicit, this study provides a foundation for quantum software engineering, supporting modular design, reuse, and informed architectural decision-making in quantum application development.