From concept to circuit board

The electronics are the physical foundation of the product. We turn a system architecture concept into a manufacturable printed circuit board that meets its performance, size, cost, compliance and power targets.

Our hardware work includes digital MCU boards with high-speed memory and USB, precision analog measurement subsystems in the tens-of-microvolt range, isolated and high-voltage switching to 800 VDC, heavy-copper power stages and GPS/RF integration.

What the work includes

Schematics and design documentation are drafted so they can be reviewed and maintained by people who were not in the room.

Layouts target the appropriate level of complexity with attention to signal integrity, EMI/EMC, power distribution, thermal paths and creepage and clearance. Manufacturability and assembly are considered from the first revision.

Components are chosen for performance, cost and lead time. Critical components and distributor sources are identified before the board is released.

We manage PCB assembly for prototype quantities in-house for designs down to and including fine-pitch MCU BGA packages and 0201 passives. We perform the first power-up internally, verifying each rail, clock and all interfaces. Keeping this initial prototype and design cycle almost entirely in-house allows for very rapid turnaround times early in the development cycle.

Result

A hardware platform prototype that is rapidly in hand and functional, ready for firmware development. Completed prototypes inform design-for-manufacturing passes as the overall product development cycle reaches maturity.