Infleqtion, Indiana Quantum Corridor’s GPS-Free Timing trial
Overview
Indiana Quantum Corridor and Infleqtion conducted a successful technological trial to create very exact quantum time without GPS satellites. Using a fiber-optic network and a unique optical atomic clock called Tiqker, the partnership achieved faster synchronization speeds than satellite-based solutions. GPS interference and signal jamming can destroy critical digital infrastructure. The breakthrough is important in banking, telecommunications, and defense since accurate timekeeping is crucial for operational stability. Final example: adding quantum-grade precision to metropolitan networks for secure and resilient international communications.
Chicago-Indiana Quantum Corridor and Inflection
Infleqtion and Indiana Quantum Corridor announced the completion of a GPS-free quantum timing live demonstration, a major digital infrastructure milestone. The test showed a novel way to synchronize essential systems over 21.8 kilometers of live urban fiber with 40 times the accuracy of GPS-based alternatives.
The experiment connected Hammond, Indiana's Digital Crossroad Data Center to Chicago's ORD10 Data Center (350 Cermak), signaling a dramatic change in worldwide networks' time handling. GPS satellite dependency is becoming a systemic weakness as digital systems get more complex.
Limits of Invisible Utility
Often ignored, time is the “invisible utility” that fuels modern life. National security systems, AI networks, data centers, and high-speed financial trading platforms need perfectly synchronized clocks. Most of these systems use GPS.
Unfortunately, GPS signals are notoriously fragile.
Experts call them a “single point of failure” for key infrastructure because atmospheric conditions or deliberate interference can jam, spoof, or disrupt them. Pranav Gokhale, CTO of Infleqtion, says relying on one source of time becomes riskier as digital infrastructure increases. The recent experiment shows that fiber-optic connections can send quantum-grade timing, which is more accurate than satellite-based time.
Rack-mounted quantum clock: Tiqker
The sturdy, rack-mounted quantum photonic atomic clock Tiqker from Infleqtion drives this invention. In contrast to the massive, delicate atomic clocks in national laboratories, Tiqker is designed for operational use.
During the live test, the Tiqker technology maintained picosecond-level synchronization on “dark fiber” on the Indiana Quantum Corridor. The clock remained accurate despite network switching events and environmental variables that generally degrade high-precision signals. In critical short to medium timeframes, the obtained findings outperformed GPS and traditional cesium beam clocks.
An OOP Superhighway
Special construction of the Quantum Corridor made the test successful. Quantum Corridor is a quantum communications network, unlike fiber. A well secured physical route and a predefined single-mode fiber profile between 1310 and 1550 nm ensure optical and temporal stability.
A 263-mile "quantum superhighway" is intended to be the largest US network of its kind. The technology lets defense contractors, research centers, and the Chicago Quantum Exchange securely share data. Quantum Corridor Chief Product Officer Patrick Scully said this relationship is laying the groundwork for next-generation digital system timing services.
Defense to Finance Implications for Industry Quantum-grade timing via urban fiber affects several vital industries:
Financial Services: Accurate timestamps for high-speed trading, where milliseconds can mean millions of dollars in opportunity or danger.
AI and data centers: organizing big, scattered computing systems that must operate together to handle AI workloads.
Telecommunications: Enhancing 5G and 6G network reliability. National security requires a "hardened," terrestrial time source for military equipment that can operate without satellite transmissions.
Infleqtion and Indiana Quantum Corridor are showing precision timing on a commercial network that carries regular traffic to establish it as a vital component of the digital economy.
Emerging Quantum Environment
This announcement is crucial for Infleqtion. The leading neutral-atom quantum technology firm makes quantum RF receivers, inertial navigation systems, and quantum computers like the fault-tolerant Sqale. In September 2025, Infleqtion announced it would merge with Churchill Capital Corp X to go public.
Midwest expansion by Quantum Corridor Inc. continues. The company is one of 31 U.S. Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs for quantum technologies and a significant partner in the Bloch Tech Hub, a government-industry collaboration.
As the cooperation commercializes, the “Midwest Indiana Quantum Corridor” is intended to help enable the next generation of safe, coordinated communication, bringing the globe closer to a GPS-free future.
