Outsource Engineering Services
Hicks Electronic Design Hicks Electronic Design











 



Processor and DSP Design

Processor and DSP Design

 
Most electronic products require some sort of embedded microprocessor. For smaller projects HED employs the Motorola 68HC05/11, the Microchip PIC family, the Intel 8051 derivatives, and other families of microcontrollers to meet your embedded processor needs. For many of these projects HED writes tight, hardware oriented Assembly Language Software for the chosen processor.

For larger, more powerful real-time Embedded Systems, HED can design a custom solution utilizing DSP Processors, the Motorola PowerPC, or Intel Processors along with Flash and SDRAM memory technologies running on embedded operating systems such as VxWorks. We also provide Embedded Internet controller solutions featuring TCP/IP and UDP.

Our extensive experience with TI and Motorola Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) can provide the solution to your toughest signal processing problems. We have experience with fixed and floating-point processors using 16, 24, and 32 bit sampling for applications such as audio/video processing and vo-coding, spread-spectrum RF, medical instrumentation, motor control, encryption, and compression. We can custom-design digital filters and other DSP algorithms to suit your needs.



Digital Design

Digital Design

 
Nearly every new product requires some amount of digital logic. In addition to standard logic families (TTL, CMOS, ECL), HED employs XILINX and ALTERA Field Programmable Gate Arrays FPGAs as well as PALs (Programmable Array Logic) for applications which require high gate count. We can design an attractive and user friendly Keypad and Display for your product using LED or LCD display technology. Interfaces such as RS232, I2C, USB, RS485 and 10/100 Ethernet can be included to communicate with computers or other equipments. We also feature Infrared and Ultrasonic designs and can implement low power circuits for Battery Powered applications.



Analog Design

Analog Design


 
HED is an experienced designer of many types of analog circuits including Precision Audio, Telephony, Waveform Synthesis, Analog Filtering, Control Loops, and Power Supply design. HED specializes in low noise analog designs and utilizes proper circuit board layout techniques to minimize signal crosstalk and EMI.



RF Design

RF Design


 
HED can develop a Wireless product employing separate Transmitters and Receivers for communications systems whose frequency extends into the microwave bands. HED designs systems which incorporate RF Filtering, PLL's (Phase Locked Loops) and DDS's (Direct Digital Synthesizers) for a completely synthesized RF design. We also use DSP technology and chip sets to provide spread spectrum / frequency hopping transceiver designs.



PC Software Design

PC Software Design


 
In addition to firmware for embedded processors, HED also writes software for the PC platform. Software for Win95/98/NT/2000 operating systems include C, C++, Visual C, Visual Basic, and other languages. We can design custom applications for your equipment control or business needs. Software is documented to your requirements.



Telephony

Telephony


 
HED is an experienced designer of interfaces to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and can implement designs compliant with the rigorous FCC requirements. Loop-start and ground-start interfaces are possible as well as DTMF signaling designs. HED also designs telephony to European and Australian standards.



Schematic Capture and PCB Layout

Schematic Capture and PCB Layout


 
HED uses Accel EDA V14 CAD software and provides in-house Schematic Capture and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) Layout. For high density designs HED uses the Mentor Graphics Suite for tight control over impedance matching and trace lengths. Our CAD systems allow us to develop Multilayer Boards using Leaded or Surface Mount technology. The customer is supplied all Gerber and NCD Drill File information as well as all schematics, parts lists, and assembly drawings.



Enclosure Design and Packaging

Enclosure Design and Packaging


 
Many new products require an electronic enclosure to house the circuits. HED works closely with different enclosure manufacturers to provide cost effective solutions in both ABS Plastic and Sheet Metal. For those applications which require weatherproof or ruggedized enclosures, HED utilizes vendors of NEMA approved enclosures.



Industry Certification Testing

Industry Certification Testing


 
Nearly every electronic product sold on the commercial market requires industry certification such as FCC, UL, CE-Mark, etc. First and foremost, HED designs its products to give the highest probability of testing compliance. HED then acts as an Agency Liaison with Certified Laboratories to provide you with any necessary Acceptance Testing which is usually a precursor to sale.



Manufacturing

Manufacturing


 
HED provides Manufacturing Services which include all PCB fabrication, parts procurement and kiting, assembly, and finished product testing. For projects which require High Volume Manufacturing, HED enlists Domestic or Overseas manufacturing facilities. Alternatively, we can provide you with all the necessary documentation to allow you to select a manufacturer of your choice.



Reverse and Re-Engineering

Reverse and Re-Engineering

 
Many customers find that they need to Upgrade Existing Designs to keep pace with rapidly moving technology. HED provides re-engineering of an existing product to utilize the latest available components, achieve miniaturization, and decrease parts count and expense. Typically, the fewer the number of parts, the lower the cost and the higher the reliability. Similarly, as products become older or obsolete the original design information can become lost or corrupted. HED provides Reverse Engineering of an existing product to recover lost design information.



Design Reviews

Design Reviews


 
An unbiased assessment and a "fresh set of eyes" can uncover design problem before production starts. If the design is sound and the documentation in order, the review will be quick and cost effective. If design problems exists, the review can avert expensive manufacturing problems such as high production failure rates.








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