Atomic Clocks and Oscillators
Safran is a world leader in rubidium atomic clocks and oscillators, rubidium standards, maser, testing instrument technologies and more that rely on accurate atomic time. Whether you need short or long term stability, our decades of experience designing and manufacturing products is trusted by companies ranging from global enterprises to space initiatives.
What is an Atomic Clock?
An atomic clock is a highly precise timing device that uses the natural oscillations of atoms to generate an exceptionally stable frequency reference. Unlike conventional clocks that rely on mechanical movement or quartz-based oscillators, atomic clocks measure the resonant frequency of atoms, such as rubidium or cesium, to maintain accurate time. Once the atomic resonance is detected, the clock continuously corrects its internal oscillator to match this stable atomic reference.
Atomic clocks can precisely measure the passage of time, providing highly accurate timing and frequency signals for synchronization applications. In telecommunications, for example, this could mean keeping network infrastructure and data transmission aligned. In satellite navigation systems, atomic clocks provide the precise timing required to calculate position and navigation information. In defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure, they help systems maintain trusted time when accurate synchronization is essential.
Because atomic clocks can maintain precise time over long periods, and they are highly reliable across demanding environments, they are used in a variety of industries.
Trusted Atomic Clock Technology Across Critical Industries
Use Cases for Atomic Clocks & Oscillators
GNSS Resilience
Atomic clocks maintain accurate timing during GNSS outages, enabling critical systems to continue operating reliably when external timing signals are unavailable.
Network Synchronization
Atomic clocks and oscillators keep communications networks synchronized, supporting reliable data transmission, wireless connectivity, and critical infrastructure operations.
Satellite Timing
Atomic clocks provide precise timing references for satellite systems, supporting navigation, communications, and mission-critical synchronization in space environments.
Electronic Warfare
Atomic clocks support resilient timing for defense systems, helping maintain synchronization and operational effectiveness in contested electromagnetic environments.
Financial Transactions
Atomic clocks deliver trusted timing for financial networks, enabling accurate timestamping and synchronization of high-speed transactions and trading systems.
Critical Infrastructure
Atomic clocks and oscillators provide stable timing for power grids, transportation networks, and other essential services that depend on continuous synchronization.
Key Features & Benefits of Atomic Frequency Sources
Safran’s atomic clocks and oscillators are designed to provide highly stable timing and frequency references across a wide range of applications. Our timing solutions have been engineered to operate reliably in demanding environments, ensuring exceptional accuracy, long-term stability, and trusted synchronization performance when precise timing is critical.
Key features include excellent frequency stability, low phase noise, extended holdover performance, and robust environmental resilience. The table below highlights representative performance specifications, including frequency accuracy, aging rate, phase noise, holdover capability, and power consumption.
| Feature | Description | Customer Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency Stability | Maintains a highly consistent frequency output over time and varying operating conditions. | Improves synchronization accuracy and reduces timing errors. |
| Holdover Performance | Continues providing accurate timing during GNSS outages or loss of external synchronization. | Ensures uninterrupted operation in GNSS-denied environments. |
| Low Phase Noise | Generates a clean frequency signal with minimal short-term fluctuations. | Enhances signal integrity and system performance. |
| Long-Term Accuracy | Delivers precise timing with minimal drift over extended periods. | Reduces maintenance requirements and recalibration frequency. |
| Environmental Robustness | Designed to operate reliably across challenging temperature, vibration, and shock conditions. | Supports deployment in aerospace, defense, and industrial environments. |
| Low SWaP-C Options | Available in compact, lightweight, and power-efficient configurations. | Simplifies integration into size and power constrained systems. |
High-Performance Rubidium Atomic Clocks
Safran Rubidium Atomic Clocks are made with the microwave optical double resonance (MODR) technique, providing you with a low SWaP-C solution in a small form factor. It’s designed to meet the latest commercial, military and aerospace requirements where time stability and power consumption are critical. It provides a one day holdover below 500 ns in a form factor (50.8 x 50.8 x 16mm) that takes up only 42 cc of volume (about one-third of the volume compared to standard rubidiums) and consumes only 0.5W of power in the steady state function (it consumes 1.5W of power using the high performance function), which is about ten times less than existing solutions with similar capabilities.
Since Safran’s atomic clocks are ruggedized, they are able to provide accurate frequency and precise atomic time synchronization to mobile applications, such as military radio-pack systems in GNSS-degraded or denied environments. Its wide-ranging operating temperature of -40° to +80°C is also ideal for Underwater, Military, Radars, Low Earth Orbit, Electronic Warfare, Airbornes & Avionics, and UAV/UGV/USV/UUV.
