Brazilian microwave standards of Time and Frequency

Time and Frequency scientific metrology is a necessary component of many important scientific and technological applications. A few years ago we have started an effort to establish a Brazilian Laboratory for the development of atomic clocks. In this communication a progress report of our activities is described, providing present status and future perspectives. The original goal is the construction and characterization of a Fountain as well as alternative frequency references based on cold atoms. Along the past years such goals were achieved with a Cs Fountain operation, which improvement and characterization is presently under progress. In another experiment, interrogation of a cold atomic cloud in free expansion was demonstrated and the implementation of a new chamber overcoming some limitations is now in course. Finally, a system based on a composition of commercial clocks and a hydrogen maser is being assembled to define a local timescale and to provide a link for future contributions to TAI.