Embedded System Design in Taiwan

An embedded system is an electronic system designed for application-specific tasks. There is a broad range of embedded solutions, from those that feature only firmware (software allocated in non volatile memory) to applications that have evolved to have both firmware and software on the same platform, very close to a PC architecture but still with limited resource that make them suitable for more adequate end user requirements.
An embedded system goes from basic micro controllers which are oriented to automation and basic calculation tasks. Micro controllers are meant to control peripherals such as low resolution LCDs, actuators, sensors, and others.

When is an embedded solution appropriate?

There are several scenarios when an embedded solution is a better solution. Titoma has extensive experience in analyzing each important factor on a new product’s development to offer you the best solution in terms of cost, size, performance, quality, adaptability, and scalability specific to your needs. The following are scenarios wherein an embedded solution may be more feasible instead of a PC architecture:

Reducing products unit cost
When developing an embedded system, we remove features that are not required for the end solution, thus cutting down prices on components and required embedded systems programming.

Optimizing the resources of a device
Currently, most embedded devices feature high power processors (over 600Mhz, up to 1.2-1.4GHz). By reducing the amount of unnecessary tasks, all the computing power can be focused on the main tasks and thus improving the performance of the final product.

Reducing power consumption
For specific tasks, battery life is an essential issue. Nowadays, most new product development comes in a wireless solution. By removing peripherals that are not essential to the core application, we can optimize the power consumption and create devices that would otherwise be impractical.

Customizing peripherals and ports
Quite often, new product development requires the usage of proprietary connectors, probes, and peripherals already designed by our customers. This kind of customization is quite simple for embedded solutions since Titoma will be designing and deploying an original PCB.

Reducing size and weight
By removing non essential connectors and changing the dimensions of key components such as LCDs and batteries, we can optimize the size and weight of a final product so it fits market requirements.

Intellectual property protection
Often our client's main concern is the integration of their existing software development to our hardware/firmware platforms. By using proprietary connection standards, original ports, and by altering the basic hardware, we can ensure that the information stored cannot be accessed by third parties or final users that might try to reverse engineer our client’s ideas.

What kinds of embedded systems can Titoma develop?

When we require some level of logic in an electronic device, we need a programmed Micro Controller Unit. This device has only a set of instructions programmed once and for a specific application, such as calculators, mice, GPS devices, and others. It is essentially a CPU that controls peripherals, such as LCDs, small keyboards, LEDs, or buzzers. Think of small home appliances that don't require high processing power.

At a certain point, the required level of computing may increase and functions need to be expanded. When several functions are required, we need both firmware and software. This kind of embedded system will be based on a micro processor instead of a micro controller, featuring on an Operative System (much like the one used on a PC with fewer features, size, and cost). These are used in applications such as MIDs, PDAs, and tablet PCs, which require a higher level of interaction with the user and the Graphic User Interface.

SDK and Embedded Systems

A software development kit (SDK) is a set of development tools that allow for the creation of embedded software programming, or applications, for a specific hardware platform that communicate with a certain embedded system.

Every Controller or Processor requires an SDK and usually its respective manufacturers will provide them as a solution included in the engineering boards or development kits (dev kits). Whether it is a simple firmware project or complete software integration, you will require one or more SDKs to complete the implementation process.

SDKs are used from basic coding for Firmware and Bootloaders, to Kernel's construction and Application deployment of GUIs (Graphic User Interface). Most of the SDK tools are open source, others are manufacturer proprietary; in any case, the support required for using them and eventually debugging the system requires a contract to be previously signed with the chipset provider.

It is vital that the embedded system operates flawlessly

By integrating the micro controller or micro processor unit (uC, uP), input/output interfaces, peripherals, memory, RAM, and clock generator, its complexity, size, and cost can be reduced. However, since these systems are embedded, they are more difficult to fix. Simply put, there can be no margin of error. Systems need to be extensively tested and retested before they are released onto the market. Titoma has experience in PCBA design, manufacturing, and debugging for embedded systems.

We offer low-cost embedded system solutions

With its range of design challenges, requirements, and options, developing an embedded system can be a complex process. Every project poses a set of often conflicting requirements-performance goals, size and weight limitations, power constraints, and ruggedization; but beside technical challenges, the hardest obstacles to overcome are often restrictions on unit costs and development budget.

How we fit into the picture

Titoma takes responsibility for your entire project from—

In a nutshell: We’ll do the work, leaving you more time to focus on your customers and getting your product to market.

We design, develop, and manufacture embedded systems for a variety of industries

Titoma can fully develop and customize embedded solutions that meet your performance and cost requirements

We will work with you to select the most appropriate embedded solution. There are currently numerous MCU’s and Micro Processors available in the market:

Our engineers are most experienced in using x86, ARM, MIPS, MicroChip and ZigBee.

Which OS (operating system) is right for you?

Unlike with personal computers, where there is a clear split between hardware and software design, software (firmware) and hardware in an embedded environment are very much intertwined; therefore, we prefer to develop the firmware for our clients. Titoma has been providing turnkey solutions since 2001, so we have the experience and technical capabilities to make your device do what it needs to do, and translate this into code.
In some cases our clients prefer to write the firmware themselves, and here again our rich experience in international communication ensures that all issues are hashed out.
As with MCUs, choices of operating systems abound. Knowing all the pros and cons of each and deciding which operating system will best meet your requirements and budget, is crucial, and we will be happy to assist you in picking the one most appropriate for your application.

We have extensive experience developing firmware using Win CE, Linux, Embedded Linux, Android, and FPGA.

Before we can begin to implement an embedded system solution, we require in most cases:

• a clearly defined block diagram;
• a work flow;
• and Graphical User Interface (GUI).

We then evaluate it and determine how best to optimize and implement manufacturing in China or Taiwan.

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