Markus Lutz is CTO and Founder of SiTime Corporation. He is a MEMS expert, a prolific entrepreneur and inventor who holds over 100 patents.
getty
Timekeeping defines the daily rhythm of our lives. Just think of how many times a day you check your computer's clock, smartphone, wristwatch or wall clock for the current time. Time measurement is a cornerstone of human progress; it's how we have measured the moments of our lives and the ages of civilization. From sundials to modern advanced watches and atomic clocks, advances in timing technology have driven innovations that have shaped our future for thousands of years.
In 2013, archaeologists made a significant discovery in Egypt's Valley of the Kings—a flat, circular slab of limestone identified as one of humanity's earliest sundials. Unearthed in the remnants of a simple stone shelter, this artifact likely helped ancient workers monitor time as they labored to construct the region's monumental royal tombs.
This discovery underscores a widely acknowledged truth: The precise measurement of time is essential for human advancement. The transition from sundials to hourglasses, clocks and wristwatches—and now, smartwatches and atomic clocks—signifies not only technological progress but also the foundational role of innovation throughout human history.
Another case in point: The 18th-century invention of the marine chronometer by British horologist John Harrison marked a turning point in timekeeping and redefined maritime navigation under tough environmental conditions. This resilient timepiece played a crucial role in solidifying Britain's naval dominance—as detailed in Dava Sobel's book, Longitude, which highlights the impact of Harrison's highly accurate chronometer on maritime travel and trade. Harrison's groundbreaking invention exemplifies how precise timekeeping has enabled significant technological advancements and geopolitical changes throughout history.
Advances In Precision Timing
In today's AI-driven digital world, precision timing technology underpins the functionality and accuracy of countless electronic devices, systems and networks, from smartphones to navigation systems to 5G communications and the growing infrastructure for AI data centers.
While quartz crystal resonators historically maintained this essential heartbeat in electronics for the past 100 years, resonating devices based on silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology have emerged as a transformative development for precision timing. These miniature MEMS devices, created using semiconductor manufacturing processes, offer significant advantages in size, cost, energy efficiency and reliability over quartz-based timing technology.
For example, highly precise timing components are required for safety-critical automotive applications such as advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), entertainment systems and in-vehicle networking. However, crystal oscillators have been used in automotive system designs for decades even with their inherent limitations, including their inability to withstand temperature fluctuations and mechanical stresses. Automotive electronics are often subjected to harsh climate conditions that include extreme temperatures, mechanical shock, vibration and electromagnetic interference (EMI)—all of which can cause quartz timing devices to fail.
MEMS-based timing devices, which are much smaller than their quartz counterparts, offer unparalleled precision and versatility across numerous applications in automotive, networking, communications, industrial automation, consumer electronics, and aerospace and defense. Their resilience to environmental stressors has led to widespread adoption that has the potential to outpace the use of quartz. For example, today's smartphones integrate MEMS timing devices to ensure accurate timekeeping while synchronizing apps ranging from fitness tracking to ride-sharing to location services.
The efficiency and customization capabilities of silicon MEMS technology are accelerating the shift from quartz to MEMS-based timing. Unlike the fixed-function crystal oscillators, MEMS oscillators are highly programmable and adaptable to evolving application requirements.
Fueling Technological Innovation
The growing adoption of MEMS timing technology continues to drive innovation across industries, offering measurable impacts in various applications. In the automotive industry, for example, Tesla has integrated MEMS timing technology into its camera systems to enhance the synchronization of high volumes of sensor data transferred to electronic control units (ECUs). This integration has resulted in more precise and reliable autonomous driving capabilities, reducing the error of margin in object detection and collision avoidance systems by 15%.
In healthcare, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) from companies like Dexcom use MEMS timing components to provide timely and accurate alerts on blood sugar levels. This improved monitoring accuracy enables better diabetes management and fewer instances of hypo- and hyperglycemia.
Industrial and aerospace navigation systems also benefit from MEMS-based timing references, chosen for their shock and vibration resilience. Boeing, for example, has adopted MEMS timing technology in its navigation systems to enhance the performance and reliability of its aircraft.
As we continue to push the frontiers of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), the role of precision timing becomes increasingly vital. Like ancient sundials and 18th-century marine chronometers, modern MEMS-based timing devices are paving the way for technological leaps that will enhance our productivity and safety, enriching our lives in countless ways.
The precise measurement of time has been a cornerstone of human existence for thousands of years, and the importance of today's precision timing technology is growing exponentially. As we delve deeper into the realms of AI computing, autonomous driving, healthcare innovations, navigation systems and beyond, the possibilities for precision timing are boundless.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
