Integration Technologies

We use the most advanced technologies and knowledge to integrate our components into hi-tech systems.

Analysis

The first step in developing the hardware is analyzing the entire system. As hardware design engineers, we use standard office software to draw the first level diagram and noise budget, sometimes as simple as MS Excel. Of course, we can use some more sophisticated and expensive tools, but most projects do not need such an overkill, and the benefit is usually not very high.

Our long-term experience allows us to get the same performance from the standard cheap tool as from an expensive high-power tool.
1

Simulation

We efficiently utilize the Spice family's tools for the linear and non-linear analysis at low frequencies. Although they are very often free of charge, in most cases, they are sufficient.

Another step we take is the simulation of each hardware component.

  • LTspice
  • Tina CAD 
  • OrCAD simulator 
  • Micro-Cap
2

3D Model

As a vital part, our mechanical engineer creates a 3D model for the product from the mechanical point of view. The model is then modified and optimized to achieve the requirements defined in the main definition phase and to be compatible with the electronic design.

  • DesignSpark Mechanical 
  • AutoDesk Inventor 
  • SolidWorks
3

RF Simulation Tools

We use the most common brands of tools according to their purpose. Some tools allow full EM analysis, others are very powerful in non-linear simulations. Using a combination of them will help us to reliably demonstrate the stability of a nonlinear system.

If they technically meet all the requirements, we also use tools that are free, which allows us to minimize the cost of simulation time and save some of the development budget.

We export the data for further development stages as soon as we optimize the PCB structure via these tools.

  • AWR Microwave Office 
  • PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS) 
  • QUCS Studio
4

PCB Design

Once we have all the necessary components simulated and optimized, we go to PCB design. We design the wiring diagram, interconnect all the components and forward the final model to the PCB design team.

They then convert the model into the form of concrete circuit boards. This process is carried out manually and the know-how of our expert team and their many years of experience in PCB design are significantly involved. The electronic parts must of course also be designed with the desired physical form of the product in mind. The PCB development is therefore carried out in close communication with the mechanical engineers using their 3D models.

As soon as they are finished with the PCB layout, they export PCB production and assembly data for review. 

  • OrCAD Capture CIS
  • OrCAD PCB Designer
  • Altium Designer
  • Mentor PADS
  • Mentor Expedition
  • PentaLogix ViewMate
5

Hardware Test Instruments

The phase after we get the first samples from the production is exciting. We use many sophisticated and expensive instruments to prove whether our prototypes fulfill the requirements stated in the definition phase. If they exceed some of the limits, we do a diagnostic activity to find the root cause and solution.

We measure the hardware manually or use test tool framework software developed by our team.

  • Rohde & Schwarz
  • Keysight
  • Tektronix
6

Architecture Model

Before we go to the software implementation, we prepare the architecture in the UML model. For such modeling, we use different tools.

A long time ago, we started with Rational Rhapsody, and now we are using PlantUML, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Visio, Lucid Chart, and Enterprise Architect.

We adjust the architecture appropriately, whether we build on an operating system – Linux or Windows – or bare-metal firmware.

Project Management Systems

For the software development process, we use a tool family made by Atlassian. We have long experience with JIRA, which is used for bug tracking, where we often utilize Agile process flows based on Kanban or Scrum.

And we exploit the main advantage of JIRA, which is its close connection to the Bitbucket repository.

Version Control Systems

For the revision control system, we started with SVN a few years ago. During the last years, we have migrated to toolchains based on Git, which brings the benefit of flexible branching and merging (when compared to SVN). We push data to a remote Bitbucket repository that offers powerful infrastructure and integration with other tools by Atlassian.

We have been using Continuous Integration (CI) technologies like Jenkins Server.

Coding Tools

Our colleagues are not forced to use specific tools. Most of them like using VS Code or MS Visual Studio; others like Atom, Eclipse, or any simple Linux-based editors.

Almost all the tools offer the full power of a remote-target debugger and various plug-in packages.

We utilize static code analysis tools like Clang for the source files.

Programming Languages

Most of programming languages we use have strong support for both Linux and Windows operating systems.

Some of us like Python for its flexibility and no need to compile, especially for fast software prototyping or test scripts.

For the web-based applications, we have good experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, and various web frameworks like ReactJS, and Express supported by runtimes like NodeJS and Electron.

On the other hand, the colleagues who are deeply involved in the lower-level ARM Cortex embedded firmware applications are good in C or C++.

Device Drivers

Some projects require PCIe cards for a host PC. Such computers mostly run on Windows; therefore, we support our customers by the development of Windows drivers.

We have detailed experience with the older Windows Driver Kit (WDK) and newer Kernel-Mode Driver Framework (KMDF).

Of course, we create drivers for embedded Linux as well – in most cases, for the peripherals that are not a part of the individual SOM (system on module).

Technologies and tools overview

3D Model

DesignSpark Mechanical
AutoDesk Inventor
SolidWorks

Analysis

Python
Matlab
Octave
MS Excel

Architecture model

Enterprise Architect
PlantUML
MS Visio
Lucidchart
MS Visual Studio

Coding Tools

MS Visual Studio
Visual Studio Code
Atom
Eclipse
Clang

Continuous Integration

Jenkins

Device Drivers

Windows – Windows Driver Kit (WDK)
Windows – Kernel-Mode Driver Framework (KMDF)
Linux – Linux Kernel Device Model

HW Test Instruments

RF Instruments by Rohde & Schwarz
RF Instruments by Keysight
Oscilloscopes by Rohde & Schwarz
Oscilloscopes by Tektronix

PCB Design

OrCAD Capture CIS
OrCAD PCB Designer
Altium Designer
Mentor PADS
Mentor Expedition

Programming Languages

C/C++
Python
JavaScript/TypeScript

Project management

Atlassian JIRA (Kanban & Scrum)

RF Simulation

AWR Microwave Office
PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS)
QUCS Studio

Simulation (low frequency)

LTspice
Tina CAD
OrCAD simulator
Micro-Cap

Tools/Frameworks

ReactJS
Angular
NodeJS
Express
ElectronJS

Version Control

Atlassian Bitbucket
SVN
Gitea

Brno

Location of our laboratory nad head office. Industrial region “Silicone Valley” of Czechia in the middle of Europe.

We work in our own lab with a space of 300 m2 equipped with sophisticated measurement instruments (in our ownership) and detailed simulation and development software.

You are here:
Integration technologies