Access Systems & Circuits: Prototyping

Whether a proof of concept or a demonstration piece, my in-house prototyping capabilities offer accurate design realization, low cost and quick turnaround. If I can't meet all your prototyping requirements, it is very likely someone in my network can. No job is too small and initial consultation is cost and obligation free.

A good prototype is a cost-effective, representative and timely demonstration of a design or concept with which to gage feasibility, performance, manufacturability, and up-front cost reduction. Some designs benefit from many iterations of a simple prototype while other designs require detailed "learning platforms." I distinguish several levels of prototyping: "proof of concept," "breadboard," "production quality," and "learning platforms."

Prototyping Tools and Capabilities:

On Prototyping:

Prototyping Options:

analog and digital development lab

PCB layout

trace-isolation board fabrication

breadboarding or PCB w/ silkscreen

PSPICE & Matlab simulation tools

graphical user interface design

NI virtual instrumentation

enclosure and user interface design

12x16x3" working volume CNC router

28x5x7" working volume CNC milling

Simulation / Proof of Concept

A proof of concept entails an efficient demonstration of the core functionality of a design or design component. Often functionality can be adequately addressed with robust simulation. In either case, the deliverable is knowledge supported by documentation addressing problem definition, experiment (or simulation) design, expected results, measured results and conclusions.

Learning Platform

A learning platform combines aspects of the breadboard and near-production prototypes with enhanced flexibility. Extra degrees of freedom are built in to facilitate product development, component testing, and serves as a platform for streamlining assembly and test methods.

Production Quality

A production quality prototype is a breadboarded prototype with all practical production-quality finishing touches. Examples of these details include packaging, labeling and industrial design. The production quality prototype is a good platform for customer demonstration and differs from a production unit mainly in that it is not mass-produced.

Breadboard

The breadboarded prototype takes the proof of concept a step further with a more-robust physical realization that is built to full functionality and meets all design specifications. In addition to the physical prototype, the deliverables include a thorough test report demonstrating performance against specifications.