Quantum Software Architecture Framework (QSAF): A Component-Based Framework for Designing Hybrid Quantum-Classical Systems
For quantum software engineers, this provides a foundational architecture framework to move from circuit-level to system-level design, addressing scalability and reusability gaps.
This paper introduces a component-based quantum software architecture framework (QSAF) for hybrid quantum-classical systems, identifying 34 reusable quantum circuit primitives across seven categories and characterizing them with non-functional dimensions. The framework enables systematic decomposition and optimization of hybrid workflows like variational quantum algorithms.
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.