SBIR-STTR Award

ColdQuanta (CQ) seeks to develop, prototype, test, and operationally demonstrate a precise timing reference system for defense and commercial platforms in GPS-denied environments. Named the Rugged Atomic Timekeeper (RAT), our approach leverages laser cooling to improve upon chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC) systems, addressing fundamental limitations of CSACs for the GPS-denied operational environment. We will engineer these technologies into a single, easily installable package with SWaP suitable for deployment into air and ground platforms and interfaced via a common frequency reference output. The RAT will also serve as a field deployable alternative for civilian applications that currently rely on GPS for timekeeping, such as communication networks, transportation systems, power grid control, and the financial sector.

ColdQuanta (CQ) seeks to develop, prototype, test, and operationally demonstrate a precise timing reference system for defense and commercial platforms in GPS-denied environments. Named the Rugged Atomic Timekeeper (RAT), our approach leverages laser cooling to improve upon chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC) systems, addressing fundamental limitations of CSACs for the GPS-denied operational environment. We will engineer these technologies into a single, easily installable package with SWaP suitable for deployment into air and ground platforms and interfaced via a common frequency reference output. This effort will deliver the RAT's critical clock control module and provide a path for space qualification of the module. The RAT will also serve as a field deployable alternative for civilian applications that currently rely on GPS for timekeeping, such as communication networks, transportation systems, power grid control, and the financial sector.