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Examples
of Typical System Technical Engagements
This section
describes some typical projects that we have been involved
with in the past. The examples include the background, what
was done to assist the project and the results.
Examples
of Projects
Need
for Circuit Concept and Architecture for System Platform
Upgrade
Situation
Client was
creating a significant upgrade to their existing, in
production, system platform. The new design was to have 16
times the capacity of the existing system in the same space.
They were short on senior staff help that could produce a
good set of block diagrams and a practical specification for
their new upgrade.
Tasks
Performed
Studied the existing system in detail, including its
existing Block Diagrams and Schematics. Reviewed newly
released components with promise to reduce size. Met with
senior company design team members and programmers to
discuss potential hardware / software tradeoffs. Created a
set of block diagrams and a specification. Reviewed block
diagrams and specifications with the senior company members,
and refined them to a final block diagram approach and
specification. Also created specifications for sub-blocks
that were to be incorporated in FPGAs.
Results
Client was able use the block diagrams and specification
to form the basis of the upgrade design. Schematic design
proceeded with five engineers and four programmers from the
basis of this architecture to the completion of the new,
more complex system. There were very few system changes when
the design was completed.
Requirement
for a practical working prototype system
design
Situation
Client wanted to develop a working prototype
demonstration system to show to potential investors. The
client had a patent on a telephone interface system and had
a very small amount of electronics skill. They had no
electronic development staff.
Tasks
Performed
Worked with the client to create a basic and formal
Functional Specification. Worked with a firmware engineering
associate to create firmware logic flow diagram for the
system states. From this, formal electronic and firmware
specs and block diagrams were created. These were reviewed
by the client, approved by him and design was
started.
Results
Used the specifications as the basis to complete the
design of the working demo unit that was presented to
potential investors and other interested parties.
Use
of Systems Approach for System Redesign of Unit in
Production
Situation
Client was redesigning an existing system to modernize
the design and eliminate outdated parts. The design had to
utilize as much as possible of the existing firmware and
hardware to minimize redesign cost. Final design was to be
more reliable and manufacturable and add a few new features.
Client had no internal electronic design staff.
Tasks
Performed
Reviewed the existing design thoroughly, especially with
regard to the obsolete components and their possible
replacements. Created specifications and block diagrams for
the new modules to be created in the design. Made several
design tradeoffs with regard to the new circuit designs and
the substitutions for obsolete components. Reviewed these
with the client and together we choose the most effective
solutions for the redesign.
Results
Angotti Product Development used the results of the
tradeoff studies, block diagram and specs to design the
final system. The system went into volume production meeting
all of its target requirements.
Use
of Spice based tradeoffs for a new circuit
design
Situation
Client was studying several approaches to a wide
bandwidth, high power, amplifier design. They were concerned
about several of the specifications, the maximum bandwidth
and the stability of the new design. Client had no internal
senior analog staff capable of analyzing this
problem.
Tasks
Performed
Created a model for the potential designs that would
simulate their actual circuits as closely as possible. Ran
many Spice simulations on these circuits to determine the
one with the highest likelihood of meeting specs and having
a high manufacturing yield in production.
Results
Client was able to determine the best circuit solution
and create a new design that was finally put into successful
production.
Need
for a System interface design into existing
circuit
Situation
Client wanted a new interface subcircuit design that
would interface with the rest of their system, which was
already designed. The circuit would be inserted in an
existing portion of the system, and was to have as little
impact on the existing design as possible while adding new
system features. The digital portion of the design would be
placed in a low cost FPGA. The client was short on staff
with the capability to perform this analysis and
design.
Tasks
Performed
Created a specification and block diagram for the new
circuit that defined its inputs and outputs and overall
functional requirements. This design was reviewed with the
client's engineers to assure that the circuit interface
would work with the existing hardware, firmware and software
with very few changes.
Results
The Angotti Product Development team used these
specifications and block diagrams to create an FPGA design
that met the requirements for the circuit. The circuit was
successfully tested and put into production.
Analog
Design Interface for High Speed PCB
Situation
Client needed someone to follow the layout of a high
speed PCB design to assure that the High Speed signals would
allow the various ICs to communicate with each other both
between and internal to the boards.
Tasks
Performed
Worked with the client to identify the critical signals
on the schematics. Assistance was given to select the
appropriate PC Board material. Layout rules were generated
for the layout person to follow. Interfaced with the layout
person to answer questions during layout, and to check on
progress.
Performed checks of
critical lines after layout was complete to assure that
layout rules were followed correctly.
After board was
fabricated, tests were run to assure the critical lines had
the correct impedance. Measurements were made on the
assembled board to assure that signal integrity was
maintained.
Results
There were very few problems areas related to layout on
the board when circuit functionality was tested. This
prevented the need for a massive relayout that would have
seriously extended the schedule.
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