EDC's product development services can best be presented by
describing the typical phases of a full development project.
EDC customizes a development program based on a client's needs.
It may include all or part of the phases described below:
EDC works with the customer from the conceptual stage to develop
a set of requirements that meet the client's needs. We then
develop a system design that meets the client's performance
requirements, cost and quality goals.
During this effort, we perform the following tasks:
Performance
and cost requirements are defined.
Appropriate technologies are identified and tradeoff studies
are conducted.
Candidate designs are analyzed.
Overall design approach is selected, including software algorithms
and packaging.
Unit cost goal is established.
A Preliminary Design Review is conducted and the proposed design
is presented to the client for approval.
During this phase EDC performs the detailed design, including:
Electronic design
such as RF and microwave circuitry, antennas, analog and digital
signal processors, embedded controllers, Ethernet and Internet
interfaces, power conservation techniques, and necessary software.
Mechanical design that incorporates such elements as sealing,
drop, shock and vibration characteristics, and miniaturization.
Preliminary drawing package generation.
A Design Review to obtain the client's approval to proceed to
the prototype phase.
Upon completing the detailed design, prototypes are built in-house:
Prototype hardware
is constructed by modifying off-the-shelf enclosures or using
rapid prototyping parts.
Components are selected.
Printed circuit boards are designed and assembled.
Complete prototypes are fabricated.
A qualification test plan is formulated that will verify that
the product design meets the client's requirements.
Upon approval
by the client, the testing is performed and a report is prepared.
Any failures are analyzed and recommendations are made to correct
the problem.
If necessary, all or part of the testing is repeated after corrections
to the design are implemented.
Typical testing includes performance measurements; temperature,
shock and vibration testing; and certification testing to obtain
FCC, UL and/or CE approval.
One of the keys to producing a quality product is a well-conceived production test plan. Test equipment properly designed to implement this plan performs the acceptance tests for purchasing the hardware. It also provides data that can be used in tracking and controlling the manufacturer's processes.
Steps in the development of appropriate test equipment include:
Preparation
of a conceptual test plan that includes the identification of
key performance parameters, type of data required (calibration,
parametric, and/or pass/fail), test methods, Detailed design
of the test equipment, including electronics, mechanical fixturing
and software development. Fabrication, test and calibration
of the equipment.
