Services

The development lifecycle encompasses a wide range of activities, from feasibility, through prototype build and test, system integration, qualification and on to final production. Each development program will have its own unique driving factors that determine the work involved.

Perhaps it's a major new design with a number of areas of research requiring a large feasibility study and a number of prototypes, maybe aimed at a high volume product where customisation can reap large rewards in profit to justify the development costs or possibly a redesign of an existing product or adapting an off-the-shelf design where time to market is paramount.

We can provide a very flexible approach to meet your exact needs, whether you're looking to outsource the complete development program, part of the program or just one particular job. The following list gives a breakdown of the services we offer that cover pretty much the whole development cycle so you can pick and choose any combination that suit your plans.

Feasibility Studies
We undertake studies to assess the feasibility of turning an initial concept into a reality, looking at all aspects of a proposed development and giving the client all the relevant information to make an informed decision whether and how to proceed with the development. A detailed feasibility report will be provided covering all key information:

Concept Review	Requirements capture and analysis
System Analysis	Practical evaluations
Design proposals	Key component identification
Cost estimatess	Development cost and timescales
Risk Analysis	Forward development plan

Prototyping and proof of concept
Early on in a project, prototype hardware and / or software may be needed to demonstrate a product concept, perhaps evaluate a new device or technology or allow early software development on representative hardware. We can design and supply hardware and software to meet these needs including:

Demonstration / prototype hardware design, build and test

Software performance and resource requirements evaluation

Digital and analog simulation

System / Product design
Whether it’s a large system comprising several pieces of equipment or a single unit with a number of sub-assemblies, we can help you define the functional break down and internal interface specifications of the system to best realise the product requirements. In developing a system and / or product architecture we would take into account all relevant issues, such as:

Performance	EMC
Cost	Thermal management
Mechanical constraints	Manufacturability
User interface	Environmental constraints
Connectivity	Maintenance

Circuit design
From a full understanding of the product or sub-assembly’s requirements we can perform the detailed circuit design, choosing optimal schemes and components for the task. The circuit would be entered in a schematic capture tool (OrCad being preferred unless a specific design file format is required) to produce high quality schematics containing all relevant information to produce PCB and BOM data as well as forming a vital part of the documentation package.

FPGA / EPLD design
Many electronic products incorporate FPGAs and / or EPLDs to implement anything from simple logic blocks such as address decoders up to complex, high speed DSP functions with embedded microprocessor blocks. We can undertake FPGA and EPLD design and verification using VHDL and Verilog, performing functional and timing simulations and static timing analysis to ensure reliable operation in all conditions.

PCB design
If required, we can take on complete responsibility for PCB design with low to medium complexity PCB layout done completely in-house. More complex PCB layout work would be outsourced to a third party PCB design bureau as necessary but we would manage the complete design cycle, liaising with the PCB designer, supplying all design data, guiding the placement and routing of the board and reviewing the layout as it progresses to ensure design requirements are met.

Alternatively a client may wish to use their own in-house PCB layout resource, perhaps have a preferred PCB design bureau they wish to use or require the use of specific CAD tools not supported in-house nor by our preferred bureau. In any event we can act as the design authority to ensure all electrical and mechanical requirements are met.

Prototype fabrication
Reasonable quantities of low to medium complexity PCB assemblies can be built in-house with larger quantities or high complexity assemblies built by a sub-contract PCB assembly house. Again, we can manage the complete process if required.

System integration
We can perform the system integration task, bringing together software and hardware to get a system up and running, debug software / hardware interaction problems, verify system operation and performance and modify software and hardware to fix problems, enhance performance or add functionality to a prototype system as required

Hardware test and verification
We can produce a comprehensive test plan, identifying required test equipment including special test harnesses where necessary and design and build any bespoke test equipment. Once agreed with the client, we will execute the test plan and produce a complete test report.

Embedded Software development
We can provide software development services, writing low level drivers, system initialisation, test harnesses and large to medium sized applications in C and assembler. For larger projects and, in particular, where C++ is a requirement or real-time, multi-tasking operating systems we can bring in expertise from other companies we have worked successfully on past projects.

PC based software applications
We can provide bespoke PC application software to control and monitor prototype hardware, finished products or special test hardware. Generally written in C or Visual basic, they can be either console or GUI based and use a variety of interfaces to communicate with the target hardware.

Production support
Introducing a product into mass production requires support from the design team to get to the point where the production personnel can become self sufficient. To this end we can help you bring this phase of development to a successful conclusion by undertaking tasks such as:

Liaison with production and test engineering and supply chain to provide information and answer questions (though this usually is an ongoing process throughout development)

Production test support, e.g. design of special test hardware / software

Diagnostics training

Obsolete component replacement / re-design

Special test equipment
It’s often the case that standard lab test equipment is not sufficient to exercise / monitor the device under test. Special test equipment designed for the job can make testing far more efficient, applying representative stimuli and monitoring numerous points in the system, recording measurements during the test and mimicking a real life situation automatically. This can be particularly effective when performing repetitive tests, e.g. during temperature cycling. We can provide a service to design and build special test equipment to your needs, saving time and money during the often lengthy testing with increased confidence in your test coverage.

Design Review
Let’s face it, nobody’s perfect and often design problems are not detected by the original designer before an expensive build and test cycle has been undertaken. We can review existing or proposed designs to add an experienced pair of eyes to help spot design flaws and weaknesses, potential performance improvement and / or cost reduction opportunities.

If you are interested in any of our development services please contact us, we will be glad to discuss your needs to see how we can help.