GARMIN TECHNOLOGY

Garmin Elevate Optical Heart Rate

External factors can seriously impact the operation of optical heart rate sensors. So what is it that sets apart Garmin Elevate optical technology?

Precise readings to handat rest or on the move

at rest or on the move

Eliminating Signal Noise is Key

It is not difficult to measure a user’s heart rate when they are at rest, but the rapidly changing environmental factors encountered during exercise pose a serious challenge to optical heart-rate sensing techniques. Sweat, vibrations, temperature fluctuations, shifts in posture and movement and even changes in the distance between the device and the user's skin can all produce signal noise and interference. Irregular physical movements make it even harder to filter out this noise. Garmin utilises proprietary algorithms to filter out signal noise in real time and deliver a more precise reading that overcomes these environmental challenges. With each new generation of smart watches we strive for even faster filtering and even more accurate data display.

Noise

Correct Data

Dual Frequency Coverage, All-day Accuracy

Garmin products' entire production life cycle is handled in house, from individual component production, mechanism design through to manufacturing and assembly. This allows us to keep tight control over all aspects of product development. By combining high-efficiency optical modules and specialised algorithms our products achieve a maximum of efficiency and precision.
Many products on the market suspend their monitoring function when the user's hand is at rest. However, Garmin Elevate operates at two different sensing frequencies: in periods of low activity or rest the sensor operates on low-frequency sensing mode, but switches to higher-frequency sensing as soon it detects increased levels of physical activity. So no matter whether you are undertaking a high-intensity work out or enjoying a rest period, sensing functions continue to operate ceaselessly and with unstinting precision all through the day.

Smart Sensors for Continuous Monitoring

Hemoglobin in our blood absorbs and reflects light differently depending on its oxygen content. In line with this principle, Garmin's wrist watches emit green light through the skin at the user's wrist, and then use a photodiode to detect changes in reflectivity that can be used to calculate heart rate. The rate of blood flow in arteries varies with the heart's contraction (systole) and relaxation (diostole) in a periodic pattern. During contraction, the density of hemoglobin increases and blood absorbs more green light. During relaxation the density of hemoglobin is lower and blood reflects more green light.

Hemoglobin density is higher, more green light absorbed

Hemoglobin density is lower, more green light is reflected

Heart rate: the key to health

There is a common misconception that 'only professional athletes have use for a heart rate monitor.' In fact, a growing body of clinical medical research confirms that everyone can benefit from monitoring heart rate, not just by improving our athletic performance and training effectiveness, but by allowing us to track our physical condition and guard against health problems before they arise. In the past, the only option was to wear a chest-strap heart rate monitor, but the inconvenience and discomfort of wearing these devices for long periods put off many potential users. Garmin believes that heart rate monitoring should be simple and convenient for everybody, whenever they might need it. A committment to making heart rate monitoring a convenient part of everyday life is at the core of our Optical Heart Rate Sensing technology.