We manage each unique project, bringing in different hardware/software/manufacture skill sets throughout as required. Always providing close interaction with our clients, based in and around Cambridge and beyond.
Analogue and digital circuit design, simulation and schematic capture
Printed circuit board layout
Design for manufacture, supply chain management and manufacturing management
Linux kernel device driver development and debugging
Programmable logic and FPGA design in VHDL
Software and hardware release management, version control and configuration management
Debian Linux software packaging and distribution
Technical documentation, type approval and maintenance of CE technical file
A fully-equipped development laboratory, including:
Subscription to Altium Designer CAD package
Linux and Windows PCs
Various ARM development platforms including BeagleBone Black and NVIDIA Jetson
Analogue oscilloscopes to 500MHz, sensitivity to 10µV/div
Digital oscilloscopes to 750MHz and 2Gs/s, transient capture to 100Gs/s
Digital sampling oscilloscope and time-domain reflectometer to 20GHz/16ps risetime
Logic analysis to 4Gs/s
Spectrum analysis to 12.4GHz, scalar network analysis to 1.8GHz
Precision DC power supplies up to 1kW/120A, test loads up to 2kW
Metcal lead-free soldering equipment
Hot-air rework station and vacuum desoldering station
Rubidium frequency standard for precision timing measurements
A comprehensive stock of parts for prototyping and modifications
Integration services
Experience of:
Market specific costings and feasibility studies
Simple deployment of devices and capture of data
Secure reliable remote device updates
Server-side components for device management
Connection with existing codebases via RESTful APIs
Windows and Linux desktop applications
Flutter based Android and iOS mobile applications
JavaScript, PHP, Dart, Python, C, C++
Modem integration into new and legacy systems
Abstraction of low-level comms handling details from system designs
Tailor made devices for harsh/specific environments
Safety and approvals documentation
Management of subcontract manufacturing
Production troubleshooting and in-field testing
Cloud & IoT/M2M services
Utilising:
AWS Lambda functions and AWS services
Serverless/micro-service architectures
Provision of RESTful APIs
JavaScript, PHP, Dart, Python serverside
Flutter based Android and iOS mobile applications
Interaction with commercial SMS gateways
Standardised and custom IoT/M2M protocols
Secure remote Debian package updates
Invocation of remote reverse SSH connections
Reusable components for fast development of designs
Tried and tested GSM modem and comms stack integration
Sporadic and unstable comms handling
Scheduled daily updates to/from devices
Remote command and control
Hardware/software version and capability checks
Device management
Tailored Support
Examples:
Market specific costings and feasibility studies
Bill of Materials cost reductions
Ongoing security updates
Safety and approvals documentation
Management of subcontract manufacturing
Production troubleshooting and in-field testing
Training and mentoring
Adder Technology
Background
Adder Technology is a UK manufacturer of KVM (Keyboard, Video and Mouse) switches and advanced products for extending access to computers. In partnership with BlaknBlu Ltd Chris developed the prototype of their proprietary USB True Emulation technology which makes it possible to share a USB device between multiple computers whilst giving each individual computer the impression that the device remains attached.
Highlights
Development of proprietary USB True Emulation technology
Sharing of a USB device between several computers whilst maintaining the impression that the device is continously attached to each machine
The Opticorder, from Cerebriam Technology Ltd, is an easy-to-use, automated video recording and broadcast device intended for professional use. Chris got involved in bringing up the prototype hardware, starting with a raw printed circuit board and evolving the device into something that was usable for software development.
Highlights
Bringing up of prototype hardware, starting with the raw printed circuit board
Detailed hardware debug of various interfaces including embedded DisplayPort, Super Speed USB 3.0, SATA, PCI Express and Bluetooth
Large scale customisation of the Linux kernel and its device tree
Toby Churchill (now Abilia UK Ltd) designer of dedicated devices for those who are literate, but unable to communicate effectively through speech, have engaged Chris since 2003 to implement a design and support large part of their platform.
Highlights
Co-designer of the Balloon Board, an embedded Linux platform with an XScale PXA270 processor
Production troubleshooting and development and debug of the firmware, device drivers (display, audio codec), custom SPI keyboard controller and programmable logic for both SL40 and Swift products
Designed much of the motherboard which includes the application-specific hardware: audio, displays, keyboard, power supplies, GSM communication and so on
Extensive programmable logic in VHDL, deployed in a Xilinx device
Simplified communication middleware driving a multiplexed baseband interface to GSM Siemens MC55i
Pod-point approached us as they were founding one of the first electric car charging networks in the UK. They needed everything from the user interface software to the power switching developed on a very tight timescale. Taking advantage of our experience on other projects, we were able to produce a working prototype in time for their first public demonstration, and subsequently support the product all the way through several manufactured versions.
Highlights
Involved with Pod-point since the beginning in 2009
The Pod Point contains power electrical systems, metering, safety interlocking, RFID, wireless GSM communications, and programmable logic
System architecture around the Balloon Board embedded Linux platform with special kernel device drivers
Detailed electronic design, ensuring that the electrical system met safety standards
Secure remote package updating
Performance of several design revisions to add functionality and reduce cost
The Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit were partners in a project to measure human activity and approached us to conduct a feasibility study and then design a device to meet specific criteria. The measurement needed a tiny, wristwatch-sized, sensor and data logger which could collect three-axis acceleration data and temperature data at high speed for a period of 1-2 weeks, storing it on board for later download. The device had to be robust enough to survive being attached to a person during all everyday activities including swimming and bathing, and the power budget was very tight.
Highlights
Initial feasibility study
Collection of three-axis acceleration data and temperature data at high speed for a period of 1-2 weeks, storing it on board for later download
Designed to survive being attached to a person during all everyday activities including swimming and bathing
Very tight power budget
Hardware design based around an STM32 (Cortex-M3) microcontroller for its high performance and good power management features
Implementation of USB communications and sampling state machine in very constrained memory
Light Green Power designs and markets silent, emission-free electrical power sources using high-technology batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. Chris has worked on the HyBall fuel cell-battery hybrid energy system since 2009, initially mentoring staff and later taking on a lead role in the project. The project includes system control as well as power electronics handling up to 2kW and 200A. Chris developed a multi-phase power converter which can handle up to 1kW at very high efficiency, as well as all the current sensing and monitoring circuits to build a complete, working hydrogen fuel cell management system. Some of the technology developed for the HyBall has been re-used in the Power Pack products, battery packs with advanced management technology, which are displacing diesel generators in heavy-duty rail maintenance applications.
Highlights
Worked on the HyBall fuel cell-battery hybrid energy system since 2009, initially mentoring staff and later taking on a lead role in the project
System control based around an Atmel AVR microcontroller as well as power electronics handling up to 2kW and 200A
Development of a multi-phase power converter which can handle up to 1kW at very high efficiency
Current sensing and monitoring circuits to build a complete, working hydrogen fuel cell management system. The innovative system architecture Chris defined is the subject of a patent application
Laid out the printed circuit boards including the high-current areas
Specified many of the ancillary parts
Implementation of all the control software
Work on other applications involving high-power LED lighting and design of switch-mode power supplies of up to 5kW
Management of all the subcontract manufacturing of Light Green Power’s products
Written and maintained the required safety and approvals documentation for use in a rail environment
Cambridge University Engineering Department (CUED) Multidisciplinary Design Project. A project intended to give students experience of the kind of interdisciplinary design process typical of industry. Chris worked with CUED staff and students to develop an interface board for teaching programming and doing practical robotics experiments.
Highlights
Used successfully since 2006 in the CUED Multidisciplinary Design Project
Design provides a robust power supply and protection against misuse as well as multiple input/output interfaces including analogue inputs and motor drivers
Forms the basis of a modular system which can be plugged together to create systems according to the students’ needs
Background (CCL)
Cambridge University Computer Laboratory as part of the SESAME (SEnsing in Sport and Managed Exercise) project. The project required a tiny, low-power, body mounted wireless sensor, the ION, which was capable of sensing acceleration in 3 axes and sending it over a radio link at high speed to a central receiver. It had to work at the same time as multiple other IONs in a network, and gracefully handle communication interruptions.
Highlights
Performed an initial feasibility study and outline design
Hardware design based around an ARM7 processor with a radio link chip from Nordic Semiconductor
Categories: Interface board / Low power wireless sensing
Hangar 19
Background
Hangar 19 Ltd specializes in the system engineering which makes electric transport infrastructure possible. Chris has been working with Hanger 19 since 2015 to help bridge the gap between the Internet of Things and electricity supply infrastructure using embedded Linux, with a particular focus on security, reliability and maintainability.
Highlights
Bridging the gap between ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) and electricity supply infrastructure
Strong focus on security, reliability and maintainability
Specification and design of custom hardware
Implementation using embedded Linux, with C based middleware using the D-Bus message bus system
