diff --git a/qiskit_ibm_runtime/options/options.py b/qiskit_ibm_runtime/options/options.py index 2b1599c16..b07180e32 100644 --- a/qiskit_ibm_runtime/options/options.py +++ b/qiskit_ibm_runtime/options/options.py @@ -61,12 +61,16 @@ class Options: `_. for more information about the error mitigation methods used at each level. - max_execution_time: Maximum execution time in seconds. If - a job exceeds this time limit, it is forcibly cancelled. If ``None``, the - maximum execution time of the primitive is used. - This value must be in between 300 seconds and the - `system imposed maximum - `_. + max_execution_time: Maximum execution time in seconds, which is based + on quantum time (not wall clock time). Quantum time is the time that + the QPU complex (including control software, control electronics, QPU, and so on) + is engaged in processing the job. If a job exceeds this time limit, it is forcibly cancelled. + Simulator jobs continue to use wall clock time because they do not have quantum time. + + Refer to the + `Max execution time documentation + `_. + for more information. transpilation: Transpilation options. See :class:`TranspilationOptions` for all available options. diff --git a/qiskit_ibm_runtime/runtime_options.py b/qiskit_ibm_runtime/runtime_options.py index d795ec143..0090a0919 100644 --- a/qiskit_ibm_runtime/runtime_options.py +++ b/qiskit_ibm_runtime/runtime_options.py @@ -58,8 +58,12 @@ def __init__( access to the target backend is randomly selected. job_tags: Tags to be assigned to the job. The tags can subsequently be used as a filter in the :meth:`jobs()` function call. - max_execution_time: Maximum execution time in seconds. If - a job exceeds this time limit, it is forcibly cancelled. + max_execution_time: Maximum execution time in seconds, which is based + on quantum time (not wall clock time). Quantum time is the time that + the QPU complex (including control software, control electronics, QPU, and so on) + is engaged in processing the job. If a job exceeds this time limit, it is forcibly + cancelled. Simulator jobs continue to use wall clock time because they do not have + quantum time. session_time: Length of session in seconds. """ self.backend = backend diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/max-execution-time-definition-196cb6297693c0f2.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/max-execution-time-definition-196cb6297693c0f2.yaml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..62cc8c809 --- /dev/null +++ b/releasenotes/notes/max-execution-time-definition-196cb6297693c0f2.yaml @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +fixes: + - | + The `max_execution_time` option is now based on quantum time instead of wall clock time. + Quantum time is the time that the QPU complex + (including control software, control electronics, QPU, and so on) + is engaged in processing the job. If a job exceeds this time limit, it is forcibly cancelled. + Simulator jobs continue to use wall clock time because they do not have quantum time.