Latest news with #timekeeping
Forbes
6 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
The Evolution Of Timekeeping: From Sundials To MEMS
Markus Lutz is CTO and Founder of SiTime Corporation. He is a MEMS expert, a prolific entrepreneur and inventor who holds over 100 patents. If there is one thing that modern society has in common with its ancient ancestors, it is the desire to measure time. Whether it's finding common ground between daylight saving time and standard time or tracking the sun's movement, humans have always looked for ways to develop timekeeping methods and track seasons, whether for agricultural reasons or religious celebrations. Scientists refer to this need to measure time as time consciousness, and humans have been chasing this need to track the hours and seasons for more than 5,000 years. One of the earliest signs of timekeeping was discovered in 2013 when researchers found an ancient sundial in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Over the millennia, the ability to measure time has become increasingly precise, driven by technological and societal advancements that have shaped the rise of civilizations around the world. If sundials revolutionized time measurement in the 1400s BC, quartz brought timekeeping into the 20th century and silicon brought it into the 21st century. The Role Of Precision Time Measurement Modern time measurement is dependent on oscillators, which work as the heartbeat of the clock. The earliest clocks to use mechanical oscillators were pendulum clocks, based on observations recorded by Galileo. The first successful pendulum clock was built in 1657 and improved precision from minutes to mere seconds per day. For the first time, mechanical clocks became more reliable than the astronomical observations that had been used for centuries and generally lost 15 seconds per day. In the 1880s, brothers Pierre and Jacques Curie discovered that quartz crystals can generate a consistent electrical signal when subjected to mechanical stress. It took until 1927 to see the invention of the quartz crystal oscillator and the ability to apply an electric charge to induce precise vibrations at a stable frequency. Quartz crystal resonators harnessed this effect, and the new quartz clock provided a level of consistency far superior to mechanical timekeepers. By the 1970s, quartz technology dominated electronic timekeeping, powering wristwatches, household clocks, computers and telecommunications systems—where precise synchronization was crucial. In the never-ending search for the most accurate and precise time measurement system, researchers began to explore silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) as a replacement for quartz, given how susceptible it can be to environmental stressors, including temperature, vibration and shock. By the early 21st century, silicon MEMS oscillators began being commercialized, building a new foundation of precision timing solutions offered by companies like Microchip, Texas Instruments, Analog Devices and SiTime, where I am the founder and CTO. Advantages Of Silicon MEMS Technology MEMS starts with the word micro, and this offers an advantage over crystal oscillators. In this case, a silicon MEMS can create oscillators the size of small semiconductor chips. The small size means the ability to be used in more applications, creating more timekeeping devices. Silicon is also more customizable and scalable than crystal and is manufactured to meet very specific demands. Silicon MEMS is also more environmentally resistant. As mentioned, quartz oscillators are susceptible to extreme temperature changes and other factors. More locations are now vulnerable to these extreme shifts—40- or 50-degree swings in temperature in a matter of hours are not uncommon. An increasing number of devices that rely on time measurement also rely on infrastructure like cell towers that are impacted by extreme weather. However, it isn't just the outside environment. Because of the energy consumption required by servers, data centers generate a lot of heat that impacts the performance quality of oscillators. The same scenario applies to industrial plants with high-tech machinery that produce excessive heat. At the other extreme, the aerospace and defense industries need to battle temperatures that plunge hundreds of degrees below zero while ensuring that the time measurement systems in airplanes, satellites and rockets remain accurate. Transitioning To New Applications And Innovations AI and edge computing are the buzz in technology right now because they are changing the way we do everything. Both AI and edge computing require precision timing technologies, and silicon-based MEMS clocks and oscillators can play a pivotal role in the synchronization of systems. Quartz-based device oscillators have played an important role in timekeeping for nearly 100 years, but quartz's limitations and inability to remain accurate outside of stable environmental conditions make it a less desirable choice for a variety of electronic systems. It comes down to this one bit of research: Crystal oscillators have a mean time between failure of approximately 30 million hours, while silicon MEMS is reliable for over 500 million hours. This suggests MEMS-based timing solutions can offer longer operational lifespans in some use cases like AI, edge computing and autonomous systems. Advances in technology to support AI and edge computing will likely drive a shift away from quartz timing and begin the era of silicon MEMS and precision timing. Key Considerations When Selecting Precision Timing Devices While silicon MEMS timing solutions bring notable benefits in areas like reliability, size and environmental robustness, quartz technology continues to play an important role in specific use cases. For example, quartz oscillators may offer lower phase noise at certain frequencies and remain a practical choice for maintaining compatibility with legacy systems. Additionally, their established presence in global supply chains can make them a cost-efficient option for high-volume, less performance-intensive applications. As timing technologies evolve, selecting the right solution depends on the unique demands of each design. Choosing the right precision timing components is critical to system performance and reliability. Key factors to evaluate include frequency stability, phase noise, jitter, power consumption, size, temperature tolerance, cost, underlying technology and supplier support. A highly stable frequency ensures consistent accuracy across varying conditions, while low phase noise and jitter are essential for reliable performance and precise data synchronization. Low power consumption is vital for energy efficiency, especially in portable or thermally constrained designs, and compact form factors are preferred for space-limited applications. Finally, selecting a trusted supplier with strong technical support and long-term availability ensures continuity throughout the product lifecycle. By carefully weighing these parameters, designers can choose timing solutions that deliver long-term accuracy, synchronization and operational reliability. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
20-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Get Ready For The Shortest Day Since Records Began As Earth Spins Faster
Earth could be about to record its fastest-ever rotation. Since 2020, Earth has been rotating faster than at any point since records began in 1973, with each successive year producing the shortest day. Last year, the shortest day was recorded on July 5, and Earth is expected to get close to this again on or close to July 9, July 22 and August 5, according to "Rapidly spinning globe. Symbolic of time passing, travel and other metaphors of space and time." Earth takes a nominal 24 hours to rotate once on its access, which is equal to 86,400 seconds. Until 2020, Earth's rotation had been gradually slowing down, and the shortest ever day recorded was just 1.05 milliseconds under 86,400 seconds. However, on July 19, 2020, Earth rotated 1.47 milliseconds less than 86,400 seconds. Last year, on July 5, it was even shorter at 1.66 milliseconds. Since 2020, Earth has seen 28 of its fastest days and predictions from International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service and U.S. Naval Observatory indicate that Earth will again rotate faster on July 9, July 22 or August 5. The uncertainty comes from the exact position of the moon, which acts as a drag factor, particularly when it's close to the equator. In the long-term, the moon is gradually slowing down the Earth's rotation, its gravitational pull causing tides and making Earth's orbital path around the sun slightly elliptical. Precise measurements of the length of a day come from atomic clocks and monitoring by the IERS. Scientists do not know why Earth's rotation has been speeding up since 2020. various factors are likely at play, including the motion of Earth's core and mantle, a shifting of mass due to the melting of ice sheets and glaciers, and variations in ocean currents and air movement. All of these could influence the day length by milliseconds. It could also be down to the 'Chandler wobble' — the movement of Earth's geographical poles across its surface. Historically, international timekeepers have added leap seconds to keep atomic time aligned with Earth's spin. However, since Earth is now rotating faster, not slower, so leap seconds are redundant. Instead, negative leap seconds— i.e., removing a second) — are being considered. IERS confirmed earlier this month that no leap second would be added in 2025. The last leap second was positive and used at the end of December 2016. Scientists are unsure what to do because the current speeding-up may be a blip in a longer trend of Earth's rotation slowing. It may seem trivial, but the fact that Earth is spinning faster in 2025, shaving milliseconds off the day, is critical for maintaining time accuracy worldwide. Maintaining alignment between Earth time and atomic time is crucial for GPS and satellite navigation, financial systems reliant on precise timestamps and synchronizing networks across the world.
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Style Edit: Longines celebrates 100 years of Zulu Time with an elegant and contemporary Greenwich-inspired watch, and a new campaign starring brand ambassador Henry Cavill
For nearly a century, Longines has recognised that time knows no boundaries. In 1925, the Swiss watchmaker unveiled its first dual time zone wristwatch – a pioneering creation that introduced the 'Zulu' maritime signal flag to watch dials and laid the foundation for 100 years of travel-ready timekeeping. It was an innovation that reflected the spirit of an increasingly connected world, where knowing the time elsewhere was just as essential as knowing the time at home. The Spirit Zulu Time 1925 enables you to move seamlessly between time zones. Photo: Handout Nearly 100 years later, that legacy continues with the Spirit Zulu Time collection – launched in 2022 and designed for those who move seamlessly between time zones, whether for adventure, work or connection. Advertisement Now, Longines marks the centennial of that first Zulu Time watch with a commemorative edition that blends historical significance with contemporary refinement. Housed in a 39mm stainless steel case, this commemorative edition is distinguished by a rotating bezel capped with 18k rose gold – a first for the collection. The engraved 24-hour scale allows the wearer to track up to three time zones, making it as practical as it is refined. For brand ambassador and actor on the move Henry Cavill, the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 'represents not only precision timekeeping, but also connection'. Photo: Handout The use of rose gold goes beyond mere aesthetics: it pays homage to the copper strip embedded in the ground at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich – the historical prime meridian and a highly symbolic reference point in global timekeeping. Turn the watch over, and a transparent caseback reveals the self-winding movement, complete with a rose-gold-tone rotor engraved with a globe intersected by the meridian. It's a subtle but thoughtful detail that connects the past to the present. At its heart is the Longines calibre L844.4 – a movement certified by the official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, COSC – that offers magnetic resistance well beyond ISO standards, plus a 72-hour power reserve and unwavering precision. The matt black dial enhances legibility, complemented by rose-gold hands and markers treated with Super-LumiNova. Five stars sit proudly above the 6 o'clock position, along with a discreet '1925–2025' legend – a quiet nod to the watch's anniversary. Travel with elegance wearing the new Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925. Photo: Handout The story of connection extends beyond the wrist too. The new Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 campaign, starring brand ambassador Henry Cavill , explores the emotional thread that links people across distances, positing a commonly posed question that transcends time zones: 'What time is it there?' Alongside this limited edition, Longines expands the Spirit Zulu Time collection with new references featuring bold blue ceramic bezels and sleek black dials in both 39mm and 42mm sizes. These models retain the full GMT functionality, catering to modern travellers who equally appreciate both form and function.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Longines Celebrates A Century Of GMT With The Spirit Zulu Time 1925
In 1908, Longines designed Turkish Watches that displayed dual time zones, which was pivotal for the Ottoman Empire for the simultaneous reading of Turkish and Western time. In 1925, Longines unveiled the Zulu Time watch featuring dual time zone functionality. This watch was used as a tool by the military and civilian aviators and navigators, who relied on precise timekeeping for safe and effective communication. Original Longines Zulu Time from 1925 Longines The dial of Zulu Time displayed a maritime flag representing the letter "Z," which signified the time at the zero meridian in Greenwich, London—now known as Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 commemorates 100 years since the introduction of the first GMT functionality. The brand has partnered with Henry Cavill with a campaign that poses the poignant question: 'What time is it there?' This simple question captures the essence of global connectivity, highlighting how time can bridge distances between loved ones. Zulu Time watch becomes a symbol of shared experiences and moments in an increasingly globalized world. The Longines Spirit Zulu Time collection was re-introduced in 2022. The collection initially featured 42 mm models in steel. In 2023, Longines added 39 mm versions, including models with gold elements. In 2024, the collection was further expanded to include a titanium version. In 2025, Longines introduces five new references - a two-tone commemorative edition, two commemorative steel models, and two steel models with blue ceramic bezel and anthracite dial. The two-tone commemorative edition features a 39-mm stainless steel case, an 18K rose-gold bidirectional rotating bezel with a circular-brushed insert. The 24-hour graduations on the bezel allow wearers to track a third time zone. The matte black dial offers good legibility with contrasted rose-gold-colored hands and indexes. Both the hands and hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova for optimal readability. Additionally, the dial features five stars positioned above the 6 o'clock marker, along with a date window and the years '1925 – 2025' engraved in a subtle tone-on-tone finish, marking the centennial anniversary. In addition to the two-tone commemorative edition, Longines introduces two commemorative models in stainless steel with 39 mm and 42 mm case sizes. These two watches feature bidirectional rotating bezel with two-tone, matte black and polished black, ceramic insert. A matte black dial with contrasting applied rose-gold Arabic numerals that are coated with Super-LumiNova. Like two-tone model, these have special '1925 – 2025' engraved on the dial. The last two references introduced by Longines are again in stainless steel in either 39 mm and or 42 mm case size. These two watches feature bidirectional rotating bezel with blue ceramic insert and vintage inspired lacquered numerals and triangle reference mark coated with Old Radium Light Super-LumiNova (fauxtina in watch geek speak). The anthracite dial has granular texture and features yellow gold applied numerals filled with Old Radium Light Super-LumiNova. All five references have a screw-down crown and are water resistant to 100 meters. They are accompanied with steel bracelet with double-folding safety clasp and push-piece opening mechanism. Two-tone version comes with an additional black Nato strap. All the models are powered by ETA-based exclusive Longines caliber L844.4, an automatic movement with silicon balance spring, making it up to ten times more resilient than the ISO 764 anti-magnetic standard requires. The movement offers power reserve of up to 72 hours and is chronometer certified from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). With five new references, Spirit Zulu Time 1925 provides options suitable for both frequent travelers and everyday use. Prices range from USD 3,300 steel models to USD 4,350 for two-tone commemorative model.
Forbes
17-05-2025
- Forbes
Windows 10 Annoying Feature Cancellation Has Just Been Reversed
How long is it taking you to read this sentence? Seconds, obviously, but how many? If you're reading this on a Windows 10 machine, it's not that easy to know but don't worry, it's about to get simpler again. Windows 10 has had a feature restored. In April, Microsoft removed the clock displaying seconds from the Calendar flyout in Windows 10. It doesn't sound like much of a downgrade until you need it. Maybe daylight savings time has just ended and you want to try to synchronize the new time on your microwave — to the second. Or is that just me? Or perhaps you wanted to time how long it took to read a sentence, for instance. Whatever your personal use, the precise time was no longer easily viewed, even though PCs require exact timekeeping to work well, so the system know the time to the second or part thereof, but Microsoft wasn't making it easy for you. If you've wanted to see the seconds, then you've had a bit of a saga on your hands. After users noticed it had gone, Microsoft didn't comment directly but instead (rubbing salt on the wound, it seemed) added it to Windows 11. This move even led some to wonder if it was a deliberate move to hasten users to switch from Windows 10, which as you know ceases to receive support from October this year. Whatever the thinking, breathe easy, Microsoft has confirmed the seconds are coming back, as spotted by Windows Latest. And to confirm its return, Microsoft had to admit it had gone before. This was mentioned in the release notes of Windows 10 Build 19045.5912, which read, 'Brings back the clock view that displays seconds onto the calendar that was once removed,' Microsoft said. Windows 10 Calendar flyout - with or without seconds? The same report also handily showed what the different views had been like in the last few months. It seems the omission was first spotted by Mayank Parmar at Windows Latest, so perhaps that's who we should thank for its return. It vanished for different users at different times, so it's hard to time how long it was gone — and definitely not down to the second! — but it's back now.
