Embedded Systems in Wearable Health Devices
2025-04-02
Isabel Johnson

Wearable health devices have had a significant rise in popularity over the last decade because of their ability to provide valuable insights into various aspects of health that were previously unattainable through continual monitoring. These devices are transforming how people monitor and make decisions about their health. With biometric data readily available at their fingertips, users are empowered to take a more proactive approach to their health and well-being. Embedded systems play a key role in these devices’ ability to continuously process complex data in real time. This real-time analysis expedites access to feedback, health education, and even entertainment. While embedded systems have always played a pivotal role in medical equipment, their function in wearable health devices gives consumers consistent, personalized, and convenient information.

Popular Wearable Health Devices on the Rise

Activity Trackers primarily measure physical activity metrics through step counts, running and walking distance, and calories burned. Some examples include Fitbits, pedometers, and Apple watches. In addition to tracking movement, Fitbits and Apple watches can also track other wellness metrics such as heart rate and overall activity trends.

 

Smart Rings predominantly focus on wellness and recovery by tracking biometrics like sleep patterns, heart rate variability (HRV), and temperature. These metrics are used to evaluate stress levels, sickness susceptibility, and phases in women’s menstrual cycles. Some of the most popular smart rings are Oura Ring, Ultrahuman Ring Air, and Samsung Galaxy Ring. These devices can also track activity metrics like step count and calories burned, though they are not as reliably accurate as activity trackers where that is their dedicated function.

 

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) analyze blood sugar levels in real time and provide insights for insulin adjustments. Unlike traditional fingerstick tests that require a drop of blood, CGMs continuously measure blood glucose levels using a small electrode placed under the skin to monitor the body’s interstitial fluid. The data is then transmitted to a receiver at regular intervals for ongoing monitoring.

 

Augmented Reality (AR) Goggles are used for health purposes almost exclusively by surgeons. CT scans, MRI scans, and other medical scans can be shown in the surgeon’s field of view during surgery, providing critical patient information more efficiently. Additionally, specialists can provide guidance during complex procedures through remote collaboration. AR goggles can also be used to train surgeons through simulated surgical procedures.

 

Medical Alert Devices are typically worn as necklaces or watches, featuring GPS tracking and an emergency call button to connect users to emergency response agents in a crisis. They are primarily designed for elderly people or people with disabilities who may be at risk of debilitating falls or other medical emergencies. Devices like Life Alert, UnaliWear Kanega Medical Alert Watch, and Medical Guardian connect users to a live agent for immediate assistance and send their location to emergency response services.

 

Core Components of Embedded Systems in Wearable Health Devices

All of these devices rely on embedded systems to perform dedicated, critical functions, including real-time data collection, communication between multiple devices, and creation of personalized insights.

  • Microcontrollers and microprocessorsare crucial to wearable health devices as they are used to efficiently process and transmit data in real time, ideally with low power consumption. These components manage sensor inputs, collecting, processing, and interpreting the data to enable continuous monitoring of metrics like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and movement. Additionally, they ensure data privacy through secure encryption.

  • Sensors monitor key biometrics such as temperature, heart-rate, oxygen levels, and other indicators of a change in homeostasis. This data, often combined with user interaction, is processed by software algorithms to provide real-time feedback and personalized recommendations.

  • Communication protocols facilitate the flow of information between peripherals, devices, and software. Wireless protocols, including Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, and Near Field Communication (NFC), are used to send and share data between wearable health devices and external systems, such as smartphones and cloud services. These protocols consume low amounts of power, ensuring efficient and continuous transmission of small amounts of data. USB is used for device charging and data synchronization. Meanwhile, I2C and SPI are used for communication within the device itself, handling data transfer between internal components like sensors and microcontrollers over short distances.

  • Firmwareserves as the bridge between hardware and software, using non-volatile memory like ROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory to directly interact with hardware components. It processes the data, which is then visually presented to the user through the software interface. Firmware updates, including Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, are periodically done remotely to improve performance and introduce new features in wearable health devices, providing further longevity to the product.

  • Softwareprocesses the data acquired by sensors and filters it to be optimized for user experience. The filtered data is then outputted through a platform that the consumer can interact with. This includes mobile apps, local device displays (e.g. smartwatch screens), and website portals. Software is also responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance in accordance with acts like HIPAA in the US or GDPR in the EU. Privacy precautions can also be implemented through password protection or biometric authentication.

Future Technology Trends in Wearable Health Devices

With the surge in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and other learning models, there is expected to be an exponential increase in the integration of AI within embedded systems in the coming years. For wearable health devices, this will be done through Edge AI, which operates at the ‘edge’ of the system. This allows data to be processed locally, rather than in the cloud, which improves speed and privacy. AI will also expand devices’ ability to create personalized insight reports based on data. We can also expect to see a larger amount of biometrics being recorded, like hydration levels and blood pressure, leading to more in-depth health monitoring capabilities.

How Total Phase Tools Can Support Development of Wearable Health Devices

Many wearable health devices rely on I2C or SPI protocols to facilitate communication between peripherals. Total Phase offers a line of host adapters and protocol analyzers that help engineers debug and develop these systems. Our tools allow for easy testing and verification of master and slave functionality, rapid programming of Flash and EEPROM devices, and offer valuable insights into data exchanges between devices and any protocol errors.

The Promira Serial Platform is our most advanced serial device with applications for I2C or SPI master/slave emulation and eSPI analysis. It supports I2C master/slave speeds up to 3.4 MHz and SPI master/slave speeds up to 80 MHz/20 MHz, respectively, with gigabit Ethernet and High-Speed USB connectivity options. With easy-to-use software GUIs and free APIs for custom scripts, this tool is ideal for high-speed programming, prototyping, and high-performance debugging.

The Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer is a high-performance bus monitoring solution for I2C and SPI systems. It non-intrusively monitors I2C up to 4 MHz and SPI up to 24 MHz. I2C and SPI protocol-level decoded data packets can be viewed with real-time data capture and display, and bit level timing down to 20 ns resolution.

Embedded systems in wearable health devices may also use USB for data synchronization. Total Phase offers a line of USB protocol analyzers that provide real-time data capture, display, and analysis. These tools help monitor USB traffic, offering insight into data transfers, specific events and errors, and real-time bus statistics. To learn more about our USB protocol analyzers, check out our USB Analyzer Product Guide.

Most wearable health devices also come with charging cables. The Advanced Cable Tester v2 is the quickest and most convenient way to comprehensively test USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort cables. The comprehensive tests, including pin continuity, DCR measurement, E-Marker verification, and signal integrity tests help developers ensure cables meet the required quality specifications.

For more information on how our tools can help with debugging and developing  wearable health devices or other embedded systems, please email us at sales@totalphase.com or request a demo.