Study on Quantum Technologies for RF Systems
The First Quantum Revolution shaped the world we live in today: without mastering quantum physics, we could not have developed computers, telecommunications, satellite navigation, smartphones, or modern medical diagnostics.
Now a Second Quantum Revolution is unfolding, exploiting the enormous advancements in our ability to detect and manipulate “single quanta” (atoms, photons, electrons). The market availability of Quantum Sensors could lead to a paradigmatic shift in the design of future systems revolutionising Defence capabilities.
For the FWC QUANDO we assembled a consortium carefully structured to cover the entire value chain of innovation (from research organisations to innovative small and medium companies, including technology developers and integrators) with knowledge of state-of-the-art quantum sensing technologies and competences in military and defence applications. To answer this novel service request, we have brought-in an additional subcontracting RTO with expertise in the application of quantum technologies to radar and surveillance systems.
As requested, we will perform a state-of-the-art analysis regarding quantum technology applications in the RF domain drawing on our consortium knowledge and expertise. Following we will concentrate on detection, tracking and recognition of challenging targets identifying and selecting the most promising quantum technologies. We will analyse the improvement brought about by these techniques with respect to naval based use cases. Building on our results from the FWC QUANDO we will assess common hardware and processing between quantumbased optronics and RF sensors. Our study will allow the definition of a clear roadmap for new project initiatives in both the field of RF sensor and optronics systems.