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On this page (14 sections)
- Embedded hardware design
- Firmware development
- Connectivity and IoT
- Production programming and support
- Choosing the right microcontroller
- Low-power design for battery products
- Firmware quality and testing
- Security for connected products
- Typical embedded projects
- Legacy firmware support
- Getting started
- User interfaces
- Communication protocols
- Testing embedded products
Embedded hardware design
We select microcontrollers and processors to match performance, power, peripheral and cost requirements, then design the supporting circuitry: power regulation, clocking, memory, protection, communication transceivers and sensor front ends.
Designs are documented and laid out with production in mind, ready for our PCB assembly line.
Firmware development
Our firmware engineers develop in embedded C for bare-metal and RTOS-based systems. Typical work includes peripheral drivers, sensor acquisition and filtering, control loops, user interface logic, data logging, communication protocols and power management.
Code is version-controlled, reviewed and tested on target hardware. Bootloaders allow field firmware updates where required.
Connectivity and IoT
Connected products need reliable communication. We integrate wired interfaces such as UART, RS-485, Modbus, CAN, I2C, SPI, USB and Ethernet, and wireless options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRa and cellular modules. Data can be sent to dashboards, cloud platforms or your own servers.
We choose communication technologies based on range, data rate, power budget, cost and certification requirements. The result is a product that connects reliably in its real environment, not only on the bench.
Production programming and support
Firmware is loaded and verified on every unit during manufacturing, with serial numbers and calibration data written where required. After launch we maintain firmware, fix issues and add features as your product evolves.
Programming procedures and tools are documented so that firmware can be loaded consistently on every production unit. Release management ensures only approved firmware versions are used.
Choosing the right microcontroller
The microcontroller defines what a product can do and what it costs. We compare candidates on processing power, memory, peripherals, power consumption, package, price, availability and the maturity of development tools. For products expected to sell for many years, long-term availability and second sources are weighted heavily.
We also consider the development ecosystem: compilers, debuggers, libraries and community support. A well-supported platform shortens development and makes future maintenance easier.
Low-power design for battery products
Battery-powered devices need careful power management across hardware and firmware. We select low-quiescent regulators, switch off unused circuits, use sleep modes and wake only when needed. Power consumption is measured on real hardware in each operating mode, and battery life is estimated from the results.
Low-power design is an ongoing process through development. Each firmware change is checked for its impact on consumption so that battery life targets are met in the final product.
Firmware quality and testing
Firmware is written to clear coding guidelines, kept under version control and reviewed before release. We test on target hardware with automated and manual tests, including edge cases such as power loss, communication errors and invalid input. Release builds are tagged so the exact code in every production unit is known.
Bugs found in testing are logged, fixed and retested, and fixes are verified not to break other features. This discipline produces firmware that behaves predictably in the field.
Security for connected products
Connected devices need protection against unauthorised access. Depending on the product, measures include secure boot, encrypted communication, authenticated firmware updates and protection of debug interfaces.
Security measures are chosen to match the risk. A simple sensor may need encrypted communication, while a device controlling equipment may require stronger protection against tampering.
Typical embedded projects
Temperature controllers, data loggers, sensor modules, motor and power controllers, wireless IoT nodes, gateways, user interface boards and test equipment.
Many of these projects combine several disciplines: analog measurement, control logic, user interface and communication. Our team handles each part and integrates them into a reliable product.
Legacy firmware support
We can maintain and update firmware for existing products, port code to new microcontrollers when parts become obsolete and add features to established designs.
When original developers are no longer available, we review existing code, document how it works and make changes carefully to avoid introducing new problems.
Getting started
Describe the device, its inputs and outputs and how it should communicate. We will propose hardware and firmware architecture and a development plan.
If you already have a prototype or reference design, share it with us. It helps us understand your goals and can shorten development.
User interfaces
Many embedded products include displays, keypads, LEDs or touch controls. We design user interfaces that are simple to operate and firmware that responds reliably.
We consider who will use the product and in what conditions, such as gloved hands, bright sunlight or noisy environments, and design controls and displays to suit.
Communication protocols
We implement standard protocols such as Modbus RTU, CAN and MQTT, and custom protocols when needed, with documentation for integrators.
Protocol implementations are tested for robustness against errors and unexpected data so that devices recover gracefully and continue operating.
Testing embedded products
Firmware and hardware are tested together under realistic conditions, including power interruptions, communication faults and extreme inputs.
Long-duration tests reveal issues such as memory leaks or timing drift that short tests miss. We run extended tests before release on products where reliability is critical.
