Name

Frequency Electronics

Legal name

Frequency Electronics, Inc.

Website

https://freqelec.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Timing and Frequency Control Electronics

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Watches, Clocks, Clockwork Operated Devices/Parts (3873), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Oscillators & Frequency Standards (OCXO/Rubidium/Cesium/Chip-Scale Atomic) (HDAFAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Frequency Control Components (Quartz Crystals/Oscillators/Resonators) (HDAHANAF), Microwave & RF Signal Chain ICs (Mixers/Detectors/Attenuators) (HDAHAMAL), Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Precision timing systems
• Atomic frequency standards
• Frequency control products
• Electronic warfare subsystems
• GPS timing receivers

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Defense and Government Product Sales: Sale of precision timing and frequency products including atomic clocks, oscillators, and synthesizers to U.S. government agencies and defense contractors for military and space applications.
2. Satellite and Space Programs: Products for satellite payloads, GPS constellations, and space exploration missions including NASA programs.
3. Commercial Telecommunications: Precision timing and synchronization products for telecommunications networks including 5G infrastructure.
4. Electronic Warfare Subsystems: RF modules, synthesizers, and EW subsystems from FEI-Elcom Tech subsidiary for defense electronics.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Frequency Electronics designs, manufactures and sells high-precision timing and frequency control products and components for space, air, sea and land applications. Its portfolio spans rubidium and mercury ion atomic clocks, quartz oscillators, frequency synthesizers up to 67 GHz, M-Code GPS receivers, electronic warfare RF subsystems, and radiation-hardened DC-DC converters, sold primarily to U.S. government and defense prime contractors. Operations are organized through FEI-NY (precision timing), FEI-Zyfer (GPS/PNT), and FEI-Elcom Tech (RF/EW), with a 55+ year heritage in space-qualified timing.

Product overview

Frequency Electronics is a precision timing and frequency control products manufacturer with a vertically integrated portfolio serving space, air, sea, and land military/government applications. The product portfolio centers on high-precision atomic clocks (DRAFS, POPRAFS, Mercury Ion Clock, TURBO), quartz oscillators, frequency synthesizers, GPS/GNSS timing systems, and electronic warfare subsystems. The company operates three primary divisions: FEI-NY (precision timing products), FEI-Zyfer (GPS and PNT systems), and FEI-Elcom Tech (microwave modules and EW systems). Products are used in mission-critical defense programs including GPS III, AEHF, OPIR, SBIRS, F-35, Patriot, SEWIP, and AOEW, with a 55+ year legacy in space applications and over 60 awards for excellence across 120+ space programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FEI-Zyfer: GPS Position, Navigation, Time and Frequency Reference Systems subsidiary providing Assured-PNT products for government, military and commercial applications.
• FEI-Elcom Tech
• TURBO (Timing Unit Rubidium Oscillator)
• DRAFS (Digital Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard)
• POPRAFS (Pulsed Optically Pumped Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard)

Products and services

• Digital Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (DRAFS) Space-qualified atomic clock providing excellent frequency stability and low environmental sensitivity, designed for the space environment. Deployed on GPS III and GPS IIIF satellite programs where it functions as a primary frequency reference.
• Pulsed Optically Pumped Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (POPRAFS) Next-generation atomic clock using a pulsed laser light source locked to an optical transition in a separate Rb vapor cell. Provides a 10X improvement in stability over legacy rubidium technology with flicker floor of σy(τ) = 3E-14/√τ and drift <1E-14/day, targeting Navy APNT and space applications.
• Timing Unit Rubidium Oscillator (TURBO) Miniaturized atomic clock for airborne applications with fractional frequency stability better than 3 x 10^-12 τ^1/2 for 100s averaging times and time holdover better than ±10μs over 1 day. Targeted at airborne and defense platforms with reduced SWaP.
• Quartz Oscillators High-precision quartz oscillators including VCXOs, OCXOs, TCXOs, DROs, CROs, and MEMS compensated oscillators for space, land, sea and air applications.
• Frequency Synthesizers High-performance frequency synthesizers operating up to 67 GHz with fast switching speed, low phase noise and ultra-wideband solutions for Electronic Warfare, Radar, SIGINT and 5G applications.
• Direct Digital Synthesizers (DDS) Digital frequency synthesis providing high-resolution frequency generation with fine frequency resolution, rapid frequency tuning, low spurious output and excellent phase noise characteristics.
• REFGEN Reference Generators (REFGEN 1300 and REFGEN 1500) Precision reference generators including the REFGEN 1300 and REFGEN 1500 models providing accurate frequency and time signals for network synchronization, satellite communication and military applications.
• HI-REL DC-DC Converters High-reliability, radiation-hardened DC-DC converters for space applications with power density up to 0.16 W/gm, efficiency to 85%, and inputs to 100 VDC, designed for 15-year operational life. Deployed on 94 satellite and space exploration programs with over 3,000 units delivered.
• GPS Time and Frequency Distribution Products GPS-disciplined time and frequency distribution systems providing precise time synchronization using GPS, IEEE 1588 PTP, NTP, Synchronous Ethernet and DOCSIS timing for telecommunications, defense, broadcasting, power utilities and financial services.
• M-Code GPS Receivers Military-grade GPS receivers utilizing M-Code signals and providing enhanced security, anti-spoofing and anti-jamming capabilities. Delivered under U.S. Space Force, GPS Directorate-approved Host Application Equipment (HAE) integrator status.
• Electronic Warfare Subsystems RF microwave modules, up/down converters, receivers and synthesizers operating up to 64 GHz for electronic warfare, C4ISR, SIGINT, ELINT and electronic attack systems, integral to the Navy SEWIP Block 3 upgrade.
• FEI-Zyfer GPS Products GPS-based Position, Navigation, Timing and Frequency Reference Systems from the FEI-Zyfer subsidiary for government, military and commercial applications, including SAASM and M-Code receivers, GPS-disciplined oscillators and integrated subsystems.
• FEI-Elcom Tech Microwave Products RF microwave modules and subsystems from the FEI-Elcom Tech subsidiary, including synthesizers, signal generators, receivers and tuners for Electronic Warfare, SIGINT, SATCOM and defense applications.
• NV Diamond Magnetometer Nitrogen Vacancy Magnetometer developed with MIT Lincoln Laboratory in a 3U VPX package for Alternative Position, Navigation and Timing (APNT) solutions for the U.S. Army.
• Rydberg Rubidium Vapor Cell Receiver Transportable Rydberg RF DC to Daylight Receiver developed in partnership with NIST Radio-Frequency Technologies Division and Freedom Photonics for atom-based RF sensing across a wide frequency range.
• Mercury Ion Clock Next-generation atomic clock technology developed with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for enhanced long-term stability using electromagnetically trapped mercury ions, in a compact, environmentally robust design targeted for space production.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accuracy of one billionth of a second per day (one second every 3 million years) for RAFS clocks
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2022Partnership with JPL (California Institute of Technology) to bring Mercury Ion clock technology from laboratory to production. The advanced ion clock technology enhances long-term stability from electromagnetically trapped ions and is a compact, environmentally robust design for space applications. FEI received a $20.3M contract from Office of Naval Research for this development.
• MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT-LL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamed with MIT-LL to propose a Nitrogen Vacancy Magnetometer in 3U VPX package for APNT solutions for the Army. This quantum sensing technology partnership advances alternative positioning, navigation and timing capabilities.
• NIST Radio-Frequency Technologies DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NIST RF Technologies Division for development of transportable Rydberg RF DC to Daylight Receiver - a state-of-the-art Rydberg atom-based radio frequency sensor.
• Freedom Photonics IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Freedom Photonics Inc alongside NIST for Rydberg RF DC to Daylight Receiver development.
• Southwest Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamed with Southwest Research Institute on Pulsed Optically Pumped Rubidium Frequency Standard and Magnetometer for use as an alternative position navigation and timing solution for the Navy.
• Office of Naval ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo important next generation atomic clock programs: Pulsed Optically Pumped Rubidium Frequency Standard (POPRAFS) and Mercury Ion Clock. Programs promise future unmatched performance for Navy timekeeping standards.
• Lockheed MartincoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFEI's Digital Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (DRAFS) selected for GPS III and GPS IIIF satellite programs. DRAFS provides excellent frequency stability designed for the space environment. Successfully completed Critical Design Review for GPS IIIF.
• U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO)coreTechnology or IntegrationFEI supports USNO which provides timing for the Navy and DoD since 1830. FEI Digital Rubidium Frequency Standard is one of the key master clocks for future GPS launches. Company has long history supporting USNO timekeeping mission.
• Northrop GrummancoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFEI recognized with Supplier Excellence Award by Northrop Grumman. FEI-Elcom Tech synthesizers are integral to Navy SEWIP Block 3 Upgrade program. Long-standing supplier relationship for electronic warfare and space systems.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mercury Systems: Mission-critical defense electronics provider specializing in RF, microwave, and digital processing subsystems for EW, C4ISR, and radar — directly comparable to FEI-Elcom Tech's EW subsystems and signal-chain offerings.
• Orolia (Safran): Orolia, now part of Safran, is a leading atomic clock and PNT solutions provider, competing directly with FEI on rubidium and cesium clocks as well as GPS-denied PNT offerings for defense and critical infrastructure customers globally.
• Microchip Technology (Microsemi): Acquired Microsemi in 2018, the historical leader in GPS rubidium clocks and space-qualified timing. Microchip/Microsemi is FEI's most direct competitor in atomic clocks, GPS subsystems, and space-qualified oscillators, serving the same DoD primes and GPS programs.
• Vectron International (Microchip Technology): Now a Microchip Technology brand, Vectron is a long-standing precision oscillator and timing product manufacturer. Competes head-to-head with FEI on OCXOs, TCXOs, and frequency control solutions for military/aerospace customers.
• IQD Frequency Products: UK-based manufacturer of quartz crystals, oscillators (VCXO/TCXO/OCXO), and frequency control products. Direct competitor in frequency control components across commercial, industrial, and aerospace markets.
• Rakon: Global manufacturer of frequency control products (quartz oscillators, OCXOs, TCXOs) serving aerospace, defense, and telecommunications markets. Competes with FEI's quartz oscillator and frequency reference product lines, particularly in space applications.
• Excelitas Technologies: Defense electronics and photonic subsystems provider with overlapping product lines in RF/microwave modules, timing subsystems, and ruggedized electronic warfare components. Targets similar defense primes and government end customers.

Broad incumbents

• Teledyne Technologies: Diversified industrial/defense conglomerate with segments in instrumentation, digital imaging, and electronic components. Teledyne's defense electronics and space subsystems businesses overlap with FEI's precision timing and instrumentation offerings.
• Leonardo DRS: Mid-tier defense electronics prime offering sensors, network computing, and electronic warfare subsystems. Overlaps with FEI-Elcom Tech's EW modules and competes for similar Navy and DoD electronic warfare program dollars.
• CAES (formerly Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions): Large defense electronics provider offering RF, microwave, and radiation-hardened components for space and electronic warfare applications. Competes with FEI in space-qualified RF modules and electronic warfare subsystems across similar defense primes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frequency-electronics

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Frequency Electronics