Comparison of Rydberg Antennas versus Classical RF Systems

Rydberg antenna technology represents a transformative advancement in radio frequency (RF) detection, offering exceptional sensitivity and wide tunability. Classical RF sensors are grounded in well-established electromagnetic principles, whereas Rydberg antennas operate via quantum mechanical interactions. Both require fundamentally different designs and implementation approaches. In this talk, we compare Rydberg antennas with their classical counterparts, highlighting specific regimes where quantum-based sensing offers distinct advantages. Using Booz Allen's proprietary modeling and simulation tools, we will demonstrate how to optimally tune a Rydberg receiver for a specific experimental setup and characterize its expected performance.