|
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.
|
