Low-Cost Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (LC CSAC)

This is a special notice about a grant opportunity for the development of a Low-Cost Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (LC CSAC). The sponsoring organization for this grant is the ARL BAA (W911NF-17-S-0003) through a technology investment agreement. The objective of this grant is to stimulate the design, production, and distribution of a battery-operated atomic clock that either matches or surpasses the size, weight, and power (SWaP) and performance of the existing chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC) on the market. Ideally, it should be sold at less than $300 per unit at a high volume.

The reliable timing provided by atomic clocks is crucial in many Army applications such as navigation, communications, supervision, and the synchronization of sensors and systems. Current precise navigation and timing (PNT) solutions depend on receiving GPS signals that might not always be accessible in increasingly contested circumstances. Commercially available silicon MEMS and quartz oscillators are unable to supply GPS holdover during GPS outage except for the costly high-end OCXOs that may be considered too large and energy-consuming for certain uses.

Earlier models of atomic clocks from the 2000s, while providing high performance standards, were rather large, expensive, and required regular monitoring and precise environmental control. The CSAC has since been developed and matured into a successful commercial product with investment from DARPA and the industry. Despite efforts to reduce manufacturing costs, the current selling price remains too high for high-volume, low-SWaP Department of Defense platforms. There is a potential to utilize advances in MEMS, photonics, and atomic physics to develop highly effective, battery-powered atomic clocks that are affordable, easily manufacturable, and deliver improved performance.

For-profit firms, as well as a consortium led by a for-profit firm, are invited to send in their proposals in compliance with 32 CFR 37.210. Points of Contact for this opportunity are Jonathan Hoffman (jonathan.e.hoffman.civ@mail.mil) and Jenna Chan (Jenna.f.chan.ctr@mail.mil).