Next Generation Atomic Clock (NGAC)
Abstract
Atomic clock technology provides the high-performance backbone of timing and synchronization for DoD navigation, communications, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems. Prior DARPA investment in Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC) technology has led to recent demonstrations of enhanced DoD capabilities, enabled by the wide availability of atomic-quality timing in portable battery-powered applications. The Next-Generation Atomic Clock (NGAC) program will develop a next-generation chip-scale atomic clock, with 100X-1000X improvement in key performance parameters, by employing alternative approaches to atomic confinement and interrogation, with particular focus on developing the component technologies necessary to enable low-cost manufacturing and robust deployment in harsh DoD environments. The NGAC program will develop a Chip-Scale Atomic Clock achieving temperature coefficient of frequency of <10^-15/degrees Celsius and frequency drift < 10^-12/month. This will enable precise timing on low-CSWaP platforms with extended mission duration. In order to achieve these performance metrics, novel approaches to atomic confinement and interrogation will be explored and new enabling components will be developed. Applied research for this program is funded within PE 0602716E, Project ELT-01.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 763bc84fd95eec93e44f827829de7924