A continuous glucose monitoring system may utilize externally sourced information regarding the physiological state and ambient environment of its user for externally calibrating sensor glucose measurements. Externally sourced factory calibration information may be utilized, where the information is generated by comparing metrics obtained from the data used to generate the sensor's glucose sensing algorithm to similar data obtained from each batch of sensors to be used with the algorithm in the future. The output sensor glucose value of a glucose sensor may also be estimated by analytically optimizing input sensor signals to accurately correct for changes in sensitivity, run-in time, glucose current dips, and other variable sensor wear effects. Correction actors, fusion algorithms, EIS, and advanced ASICs may be used to implement the foregoing, thereby achieving the goal of improved accuracy and reliability without the need for blood-glucose calibration, and providing a calibration-free, or near calibration-free, sensor.