David Mitlyng for Xairos

The Data Traffic Jam
Why is timing so critical for modern networks?
At a simple level, it is necessary to route data - analogous to how timed traffic lights move traffic more efficiently.
In the old days, all "traffic" flowed in one direction - from the broadcaster to the user.
But data, like traffic, now needs to flow between multiple points through multiple intersections.
Perfect synchronization means green lights with no delays, increasing the number of cars (bandwidth), reducing the length of the drive (latency), and eliminating jams (interference).
But unlike your local road network, there is more incentive for data networks to improve.
The push to 5G and beyond is creating complex new protocols that need better timing synchronization, such as Time Division Duplex (TDD), Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM),
Multiple-input and multiple-ouput (MIMO), and beamforming.
These advancements allow telcos to squeeze more bandwidth and users out of existing infrastructure - but it also requires better synchronization.
The data must flow.

Last Week's Theme: Who You Gonna Call?

• Gave a presentation at the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Time Management Working Group meeting. CCSDS is an international standards organization for space interoperability that is working on standards to meet the time management needs of different agencies and missions.
• Too many conferences! Lots of good discussions to highlight in the next newsletter from:
  • Inside Quantum Technology - over 140 speakers talking about the state-of-the-art in quantum communications, sensors, networks, and computing, with a focus on the business applications.
  • 2021 Chicago Quantum Summit - experts discussed "growing quantum ecosystems, commercializing research, and considering complex issues such as workforce development and inclusion."
  • Quantum Information and Measurement VI (QIM) - technical presentations on the "latest in theoretical developments and experimental implementations of quantum information technology, including the advanced engineering needed to realize such technologies."
• Working with our university partner on a National Science Foundation (NSF) Project Pitch proposal and the NSF internship program.
• Also developing proposals for upcoming NASA and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) solicitations.
• Hired a office realtor to look at office/lab spaces in the Denver/Boulder corridor.
• In the process of hiring a quantum optics lead and various engineers, and setting up an Advisory Board.

• TC Sessions: Space 2021, December 14 - 15, virtual

2022

• Colloquium on the Physics of Quantum Electronics (PQE 2022), January 10 - 14, Snowbird, Utah
• SPIE Photonics West, January 22 - 27, San Francisco, CA
• Quantum Information Processing (QIP 2022), March 7 - 11, Pasadena, CA
• Satellite 2022, March 21 - 24, Washington DC
• Quantum Business Europe, March 23 - 24, location TBD
• Space Symposium, April 4 - 7, Colorado Springs, CO
• Workshop on Synchronization and Timing Systems, May 9 - 12, Denver, CO
• Quantum.Tech Boston, June 14-15, Boston, MA
• IEEE Quantum Week 2022, September 18 - 23, Broomfield, CO

• International collaboration is critical to building a global business. To that end the US State Department released a Joint Statement with the UK on the "Cooperation in Quantum Information Sciences and Technologies" to "establish a bilateral government-to-government dialogue on the areas identified in this vision and foster a QIST R&D ecosystem."
• According to a recent IEEE article, the FAA Fumbled Its Response To a Surge in GPS Jamming during military tests in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. This created havoc at local airports and led to a "private jet made a wrong turn into restricted airspace over the White Sands Missile Range."
• Seems like our options for internet surfing continue to grow, as Boeing joins Starlink, Kuiper, Telesat, OneWeb, and O3b.

Want to impress your friends with your quantum expertise?
Then check out Quantumapalooza!
Developed by the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, their website provides a list of free online quantum learning resources and upcoming events.


To learn more, please email us or schedule a meeting here.