Semi-custom embedded system engineering is a new concept when it comes to custom application/product engineering. EMAC has been doing custom and semi-custom engineering since 1985. Since that time EMAC has developed an array of single board computers, peripherals, and development software. These off-the-shelf products have a variety of features allowing them to be easily incorporated into a number of applications. Typically EMAC can make use of these off-the-shelf items along with an arsenal of ready-to-run library routines and device drivers in a custom application. This semi-custom approach provides the customer with substantial cost savings and time savings over a fully custom approach.

The semi-custom approach works extremely well for prototypes and small production runs. If your application is cost sensitive or will be mass produced then a fully custom approach makes the most sense for production units. If a fully custom approach is warranted and the application requirements can be met by our off-the-shelf components, then a semi-custom design of the prototype is a cost-effective method of determining the feasibility of an application. After the prototype has been approved, a fully custom design can be derived from the semi-custom prototype.

Hardware design of digital, analog and microprocessor-based circuitry is no problem. Circuits containing programmable logic such as FPGA’s or even ASIC’s can be developed. Multilayer PC boards and surface mount technology can be incorporated into your design. The ability to make use of these new technologies can substantially reduce the cost per piece of the production unit for large runs. EMAC can have your product talk and interact with a PC. As a matter of fact, your circuit application can be put on a PC card if appropriate. PC interface software may be console text or GUI Windows™ based.

Beyond EMAC Engineering’s Hardware design services, EMAC’s Firmware and Software Engineering supports an array of off-the-shelf Embedded Operating systems, which can be customized to each project’s needs. These Embedded Operating System options can be software engineered to include specialized drivers or custom software modifications to best meet the requirements of a project. Software engineering and software modifications can be included with an engineering project, then EMAC can provide a contract for Software support and maintenance as the project requires.

Acquired data can be stored in standard spreadsheet or database formats and manipulated by the PC, accessed and manipulated locally, or then uploaded to a server or cloud IoT service (such as Azure or Amazon AWS). Custom PC-based software, such as TSR’s and device drivers, or fully stand-alone application programs can be developed. After the circuit board is finished and the software is written, EMAC can help with enclosures, front panel artwork, manufacturing as well as final testing and assembly of the product. When complete EMAC can offer a turn-key solution to your custom engineering needs. Give us a call and just see how reasonable custom engineering can be!

While uploading this data to the cloud was adequate for many systems, newer systems are required to be running Embedded Artificial Intelligence (AI). This on-device AI, Tiny AI or TinyML (Tiny Machine Learning) is broadly defined in the fast-growing field of machine learning technologies. These applications including hardware, algorithms, and software capable of performing on-device sensor data analytics at extremely low power, typically in the milliwatt range and below, and hence enabling a variety of always-on use-cases and targeting battery-operated devices. EMAC can work to provide Embedded AI systems with Hardware and software powered by microcontrollers continuing through ARM processors and continuing into the latest AI-based processing solutions from NVIDIA, NXP, Intel, AMD and others. These Industrial AI and Embedded AI solutions will power the next generation of embedded systems, and move AI processing from the cloud to the device level making data connections and power consumption less.

As a worldwide embedded ARM technology leader, EMAC offers a full line of commercial off-the-shelf carrier boards for Embedded ARM System-on-Module and x86 Computer-on-Module projects.  EMAC can provide Module and Carrier board solutions that are rugged, wide to industrial temperature, compact, low power, and high value.  If your project requires a Custom Embedded Single Board Computer, Custom Microcontroller, or a Custom Carrier Board our team of engineers has the experience to deliver a quality product at a competitive price.

Independent review of the quality management system of EMAC for our Engineering Department’s processes meets the requirements of the international standard ISO 9001 and we maintain a ISO 9001:2015 certification.