Integrable noncommutative equations on quad-graphs. The consistency approach

We extend integrable systems on quad-graphs, such as the Hirota equation and the cross-ratio equation, to the noncommutative context, when the fields take values in an arbitrary associative algebra. We demonstrate that the three-dimensional consistency property remains valid in this case. We derive the noncommutative zero curvature representations for these systems, based on the latter property. Quantum systems with their quantum zero curvature representations are particular cases of the general noncommutative ones.