Breakthrough: Atomic Quantum Receiver Shines in Communications Demo

Rydberg Technologies, the RF quantum sensing specialist, has made a significant breakthrough in the field of long-range radio communications. The company's low size weight and power (SWaP) atomic receiver was successfully used in a recent demonstration of the world's first long-range radio communications with an atomic quantum sensor.

The groundbreaking demo took place at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development inCommand (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center Network Modernization Experiment 2023 (NetModX23) event. The Rydberg atomic receiver device showcased its capabilities across the high-frequency (HF) to super high-frequency (SHF) bands, proving its effectiveness in over-the-air atomic RF communication at long range.

One of the key highlights of Rydberg Technologies' sensing technology is its signal selectivity, low detection probability, and immunity to unwanted interference in contested electromagnetic environments. These features make it a highly reliable and efficient solution for various applications.

Compared to traditional antennas, Rydberg atomic receivers offer a unique set of characteristics that include high sensitivity, selectivity, and wideband coverage using a single atomic detector element. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize RF surveillance, safety, communications, and networking capabilities across a wide range of frequencies, from long-wavelength RF to millimeter-wave and THz bands.

The development of the Rydberg Atomic Receiver was made possible with support from the National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) funding initiative, which is a part of the Defense Innovation Unit. This funding has played a crucial role in advancing the capabilities of atomic quantum sensors and their applications in the field of long-range radio communications.