The extremely accurate timing devices are vital to global positioning system (GPS)-style satellite navigation devices used on Earth and in space.
By timing how long it takes for a signal to reach a user or spacecraft and return, navigators can deduce a target’s exact location.
However, the systems require timing devices far more accurate than the traditional quartz crystal technology used in watches.
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“Supporting Australian Defence Force requirements, QuantX will deliver a mobile precision timing test bed for Defence Systems to DSTG Edinburgh,” said the firm.
“The test bed, due for delivery in early 2025, can be used to test and evaluate sensors, communication, and navigation systems to determine operational resilience in a GPS-degraded scenario.
“QuantX will also deliver optical atomic clocks under AUKUS Pillar II by the end of 2024, enabling AUKUS partners to develop advanced precision navigation and timing capabilities.
“Initial testing of these first article optical clocks is showing almost an order of magnitude improvement on the performance of the current microwave atomic clocks used in today’s global navigation satellite system (GNSS).
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“This same optical clock technology is being developed further at QuantX, with a clock satellite payload undergoing rigorous space-environment testing under the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars program and is scheduled to be launched in 2025.
“The direct goal of that project is to make the first step towards an Australian capability in space timing. A side effect of the intense effort to ensure space compatibility is a future variant of the clock with even higher robustness and smaller size and power consumption.”
QuantX Labs co-founder Professor Andre Luiten said the deal was an example of how “leading-edge research” can be translated into a “globally leading product”.
“Sadly, while Australia is at the forefront of global research, it is a laggard when it comes to translating that capability into industry impact,” he said.
“Here we have found the magic recipe to drive this critical need, which is creating jobs, economic wealth and an improved wellbeing of our society.”
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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