Xairos Systems has demonstrated a two-kilometer free-space quantum and optical link, a key step toward practical deployment of secure communications technology. The company’s Ares Quantum Optical Terminal integrates 10 Gbps free-space optical communications with entangled photon distribution, offering both high bandwidth and quantum-level encryption for data transmission. This testing establishes simultaneous quantum and optical links using a single terminal, unlike previous fiber-based demonstrations, and aims to provide resilient Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in environments where GPS and radio frequency signals are unreliable. “This has been a strong team effort to integrate these capabilities into a single package,” said Mike Mabry, Chief Product Officer at Xairos, as the company looks to further develop the technology for customers including the Colorado Quantum Incubator.
Ares Quantum Optical Terminal Enables Free-Space Communications & PNT
Xairos Systems has achieved an advancement in secure communication and navigation with the successful two-kilometer free-space testing of the Ares Quantum Optical Terminal, moving beyond laboratory fiber demonstrations toward practical application with Space Development Agency-compliant optical communications. Xairos’ Quantum Time Transfer (QTT) technology disciplines a stable clock ensemble, providing a level of security and resilience for PNT applications; the company envisions a communications and PNT mesh network supporting aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and maritime assets in challenging operational theaters. Joe Campagna, Xairos COO, explained that Ares was developed specifically to meet the demand from government customers to protect critical national infrastructure and warfighters. The Ares terminal is designed to serve as a foundational element for a future space-based architecture integrating satellites, airborne platforms, and terrestrial nodes.
Beyond achieving high-bandwidth communication, Xairos Systems is addressing a critical vulnerability in modern navigation systems with its Quantum Time Transfer (QTT) technology, designed to function reliably even when radio frequency and GPS signals are unavailable or actively jammed. This combination is particularly relevant for applications requiring precise synchronization, such as distributed sensor networks and advanced antenna arrays, where even minor timing errors can severely degrade performance.
Ares was developed specifically to meet the demand from our government customers to protect critical national infrastructure and the warfighter.
Joe Campagna, Xairos COO
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