Employee
In the Internet of Things (IoT) world, connectivity and advanced semiconductor technologies will provide an increasing number of smart things. The basic question is, “Where do you want to have your technology?” If your answer is “with me at all times,” you are and will be part of the driving force for wearable smart things.
According to a recently published report, the market size for wearables is projected to grow from USD 116.2 billion in 2021 to USD 265.4 billion by 2026 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.0%. Another report says the shipment volume of smart wearables globally stood at 266.3 million units in 2020 with a projection to reach 776.23 million units by 2026. This means an astonishing CAGR of 19.5% during the period of 2021-2026.
Smart wearable technology appears in wristwear, headwear, eyewear, footwear, fashion & jewelry, bodywear, and others. In 2020, hearables became the must-have device. Another category that is increasing significantly is health sensors for blood pressure sensing, skin temperature, electrocardiogram (ECG), and heart rate tracking. These products are all an integral part of the user’s lifestyle.
Reliable connectivity and data exchange options between a network and a device as well as between devices are essential aspects of wearable technology. Other requirements to complete a well-defined user satisfying smart wearable include convenience, security, easy to use, small size, and energy efficiency.
Key technology ingredients for almost any smart thing, but especially for smart wearables, are sensor inputs, computing capability, actuating outputs or responses, reliable connectivity to a network and other devices (normally through the cloud), and robust security to avoid tampering by bad actors.
Finding the Right Smart Parts
Depending on how the smart wearable is defined or specified, finding the right products to configure and design it can have different approaches. One major difference occurs when a new product is introduced, or the designer becomes aware of a product that meets design criteria that was not previously achievable.
IM69D130 can deliver 105 dB dynamic range and high output linearity up to 130 dBSPL could provide the finishing touch to the product’s bill of materials (BOM) and get the design going.
If a 3D map of the scene is required, the REAL3™ 3D imager family provides a highly integrated time-of-flight (ToF) image sensor. Alternatively, the design might need a touch sensor that draws very little power. In this case, finding out about the PSoC® controller with CapSense® capacitive touch sensing technology with ultralow power consumption could initiate a new design.
With the design started, the other critical parts of the full smart solution can be identified. For a situation where the key sensor or sensors have been identified, the next step could be the compute portion. Choosing a PSoC™ 6 MCU with its ultra-low-power architecture and low-power design techniques can extend battery life up to a full week for battery-powered smart wearable application. Its digital interfaces for system components such as MEMS sensors, means other sensors can easily be added to the design.
Paired with an AIROC™ Wi-Fi, AIROC™ Bluetooth, or AIROC™ combos radio modules, the PSoC 6 MCU provides an ideal solution for secure, low-power, feature-rich IoT products. In this case, an AIROC™ CYW5557X SoC from the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo family also provides the connect portion of the design.
A MERUS™ multi-level class D audio amplifier IC can add to the power efficiency required in the design and provide the dynamic range and audio performance in the actuate portion. For example, this could be an MA12040 with 2x40W peak output power.
Finally, to provide the security that any Internet connected device deserves to prevent the problems that an unprotected connection invites, for the secure portion, the designer could check out a SECORA™ Connect. With its integrated Secure Element for providing a turnkey Near Field Communication (NFC) capability to the smart wearable device, the user can pay at a store or access a mass transport system or even their own office building, while keeping the ultra-low power consumption of the battery-powered smart wearable in mind. Alternatively, an OPTIGA™ embedded security controller from the OPTIGA™ family can provide a secure Trust, Authenticate or Connect solution.
It should be noted that the right design choice for one portion of the smart wearable may also provide another critical portion. In fact, that is just one more reason to start with and end with www.Infineon.com for a smart wearable design or the design of any smart thing.
Summarized: With our broad product solutions and portfolio, you can solve design challenges such as data security, sensor accuracy, connectivity, device protection, all while enabling best in class power consumption and IC form factor.
Click here to learn more: www.infineon.io
