What You Should Know About Frequency Control Products, Including Real Time Clocks, in Wearable Devices

Learn More About ECS Inc.’s Superior Products for this Competitive Market

Wearables – electronic devices that can be worn on the body – have only increased in popularity among consumers. Additionally, new and highly beneficial use cases for medicine, safety and assistive technology, continue to expand. In fact, according to market research group Fact and Factors, the wearable industry is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 18.5 percent over the next five years.

ECS Inc., a leading supplier of frequency control and timing solution components for wearables and for many other industry applications, recognizes that engineers designing wearable technology require high-quality oscillators and timing components, such as real time clocks, with the following criteria in mind: size, voltage versatility, low power consumption and durability.

ECS Inc. can efficiently supply signature products that meet or exceed engineers’ requirements, ensuring that their wearables will live up to performance standards. In fact, this charge summarizes the ECS Inc. vision: that the products ECS Inc. makes will enable designers to create ingenious solutions for the benefit of humankind. As wearables continue to improve the fields of health, human safety, simulation training and more, ECS Inc. looks forward to supporting this emerging technology with products including 32.768 kHz crystals that support real time clock function.

Real Time Clocks and Other Frequency Control Products: What Matters to Engineers Now

When engineers design wearables, they must balance the inclusion of a number of key characteristics, so that these devices’ performance outcomes are exceptional. For example, engineers want to ensure that their wearable product can operate without quickly draining the battery, and continue to operate effectively even as the battery life deteriorates.

In addition, these products likely need to be able to send and receive data wirelessly, as well as monitor certain metrics in real time through the use of a real time clock. Of course, it also goes without saying that a small package size and durability will matter significantly to engineers, as the intrinsic value of a wearable is its portability in most environmental conditions.

Here are three frequently asked questions engineers ask about ECS Inc.’s frequency and timing solutions, and how they are designed to meet engineers’ wish lists for wearable devices:

What is a Real Time Clock? The integration of a real time clock in a wearable product is a type of controller that can activate various systems within the device, as well as keep accurate time. A real time clock functions with the use of a 32.768 kHz crystal, a quartz crystal with a specific frequency necessary for the clock’s operation. In the case of a fitness wearable, a real time clock enables the device to track health biometrics even when the user is not active on the device. It can also put the device in a low power mode when it is not engaged. In a product that is powered by battery and is meant for monitoring, the use of an RTC is highly desirable.

What is a MultiVolt™ oscillator? Engineers want a product that operates at a low current to ensure that the user can consistently use the product without charging; more importantly, however, a wearable should operate without error whether the battery is fully charged or is in need of a charge at the end of the day. ECS Inc.’s solution is the MultiVolt™ oscillator. An exceptionally versatile product, this oscillator can operate off of a weakening battery and – as the battery loses voltage – does not lose performance quality. Read the ECS Inc. whitepaper on MultiVolt™ oscillators.

Can our frequency control products be hermetically sealed? The answer is yes. A well-made wearable device should be impervious to sweat, soap and water, so our components that support these devices are hermetically sealed to ensure key electronic elements are protected by all they will encounter in the world.

ECS Inc.’s Industry Applications page has plenty of useful information, including info about wearable devices.

ECS Inc. Is a Leading Manufacturer of Real Time Clocks and Other Desirable Components for Wearable Devices

Whether your wearable device – or any other industry application – requires a real time clock (32.768 kHz crystal) function, low power consumption or a small package size, ECS Inc. has your solution.

ECS Inc. welcomes your questions as you design your products. ECS Inc. can also serve as your support mechanism as you go about your engineering work. As a global supplier of frequency and timing solution products, you will not have to wait days for a response, as we have engineering support in several time zones. For signature engineering support, contact ECS Inc. today.

When you are in the process of designing a wearable device and your next step is a frequency control or timing solution look up a part number using our inventory search tool; or, you can use ECS Inc.’s parametric search application to select the best component at the required kHz frequency (what real time clocks require) to filter ECS Inc.’s products down in other specification categories, including package size. Making your engineering life easy is a measurement of our success.

ECS Inc. looks forward to the technological advancements and beneficial use cases you will discover for wearable devices. Reach out, and ECS Inc. can steer you in the direction of the right products you require, taking your performance needs and price into consideration.

For general queries you can contact ECS Inc. For a list of global distributors search this interactive map. When you are ready, ECS Inc.’s global sales team looks forward to being in touch.