Connected devices
Our experience in adding connectivity to devices spans a number of common protocols. We have integrated wireless solutions from Wi-Fi, cellular networks and lower-power solutions such as Bluetooth or NFC/RFID, and wired connections including USB, Ethernet, CANbus and other industrial protocols. We’ve also worked with customers using their own specialist or bespoke communications systems.
With connectivity often the key differentiator in product innovation, our team has developed an extensive knowledge of the hidden challenges associated with integrating wireless communication services into low-power devices. Risks such as EMC, brownouts during power consumption transients and reduced signal range can be minimised using our innovative approach to problem solving.
Hard-wired or wireless solutions
Designing for connectivity
The multitude of competing communication protocols and technologies for connected devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) make it challenging to decide what combination is right for your application. Designing connected devices that will deliver real value to your users needs a combination of expertise in sensors, low power processing, compact product design and choosing the right power source - all areas of particular strength for DCA.
The device architecture must balance the conflicting requirements of physical size, battery life, functionality and cost. It may seem at first as if your desired battery life is incompatible with the product size, but a critical look at the system architecture can usually identify a different, lower power sensor technology or improve the use of power saving modes. Also, the communication protocols and technologies used will have a major bearing on the device’s complexity and hence its size, cost, power consumption and development timescale, so making the appropriate choices here is essential. It’s also important that we work closely with our software team during the hardware design to ensure that details like cyber security and power management are correctly handled.
Microprocessor and radio
For particularly high-volume or compact designs we will often build a circuit around an appropriate System on Chip containing both microcontroller and radio. In other cases, we may use more integrated modules to reduce development time and cost while accepting a compromise for device size and part cost. In all cases, our electronics and software teams work closely together to balance these factors and identify the best solution. Because DCA is commercially independent, we will always review the available solutions for each application to select the most appropriate part for your needs, rather than always partnering with a single preferred manufacturer.
A frequent challenge with wireless systems in highly regulated environments is the use of manufacturer-provided communications stack code, which must be mitigated in the early stages of architectural design.
Antennae
We can either use an off the shelf component or design a bespoke antenna solution depending on your requirements.
A bespoke solution will offer a lower unit cost and can be tailored to your specific needs. However, it will involve more development time and cost than integrating a bought in antenna. Printed antennae reduce product cost when they can be fitted within the board footprint, but they can suffer from signal loss if located near other components, particularly the device’s battery. Alternatively, it may be possible to carefully tune the antenna circuit to repurpose an existing metal component.
