Technical Expertise

Over the years we have accrued a wide spectrum of knowledge and experience of advanced electronic technologies that we can call upon as a developer of hardware and software systems. With our attention to detail and an eye for the unusual, the development of your products is in very good hands.

ATEX

ATEX – Explosive Atmosphere

In many branches of industry the production, processing, transport or storage of combustible materials may lead to the creation or release of gases, vapour, mist or combustible dust into the environment. A potentially explosive atmosphere exists when a mixture of such flammable substances combine in a way that can ignite, under certain operating conditions, with the oxygen of the air and may lead to an explosion.

Especially in the chemical and petrochemical industries, the transport of crude oil and natural gas, the mining industry and in mills (e.g. grain or granular solids) this can result in serious injury to personnel and extensive damage to equipment. To guarantee the highest possible level of safety the ATEX directive requires equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres to be designed and manufactured to minimise the occurrence and limit the severity of accidental explosions with product manufacturers being solely and ultimately responsible for the conformity of their products to the applicable directives by:

  • ensuring conformity of products to the Directive (providing for certificates of conformance)
  • designing and constructing products in accordance with the essential safety and health requirements
  • following the procedures for the assessment of the conformity of the product

Contact us if you need support designing your electronics to comply with ATEX directives.

Data Security

Data Security

Cryptography is a core element of security systems, protecting the data to be transmitted and ensuring the integrity of the data transferred and the systems involved. Careful design, skilful task distribution and the use of cryptographic methods and protocols provide an acceptable level of protection and compatibility with established and standards, for even the smallest of systems. We offer support for the design, adaptation and implementation of cryptographic algorithms specifically for small embedded systems with micro-controllers and systems connected to embedded systems.

Embedded Linux

Embedded Linux

Linux is increasingly being used as an operating system in complex embedded systems as it has some great advantages when compared to other systems, e.g. widest choice of supported platforms, fast integration of new features and supported technologies… and it’s free! Art of Technology can support you with embedded Linux by:

  • creating a device tree tailored to the hardware
  • writing kernel drivers for accelerated hardware accesses
  • adjusting boot loader to product’s platform & requirements
  • optimising boot loader, kernel and file system for size and speed

Extreme & Harsh Environments

Extreme and Harsh Environments

We have developed a number of products and devices with special requirements for use in extremely demanding environments where high reliability, redundancy and remote maintainability take on a special level of importance, as the system cannot be accessed directly or without significant investment in cost, time and effort, e.g.:

  • active medical implants (e.g. inside the human body)
  • explosive atmosphere (ATEX)
  • extreme temperature cycling & thermal shock (e.g. in the mountains)
  • high g-levels, mechanical shock & vibration (e.g. space applications)

Firmware for Embedded Systems

In contrast to PC-based systems, embedded systems have very limited resources available to them; often being based on small controllers or processor-based single-chip systems they tend to suffer from limited computing power and only token memory, making it difficult to develop software on a PC and transfer it unchanged to an embedded system.

Another special requirement is the support required for low power modes such as sleep or power down which are used to optimise energy efficiency in these typically battery-powered devices. With our years of experience, we can draw on a wide selection of proven and tested basic routines, functions, modules and controllers to tailor solutions to reflect the abilities and needs of your system.

Hardware & Software Co-Design

Hardware and Software Co-Design

The introduction of increasingly powerful processors and algorithms allow certain hardware functions to be transferred to software (e.g. filter, DC-AC converters) and on occasion even improved (e.g. better resolution by oversampling). This close interdependence of hardware and software requires special care and attention to system design, taking into consideration boundary conditions and various factors such as processing power, distribution of tasks, power consumption, space requirements and achievable performance.

Medical

Medical

New devices for diagnostic and surveillance of bodily functions provide more comfort, safety and improved daily life for patients. However, design and development of these complex devices is becoming more and more challenging. Art of Technology’s services for medical devices and implants include:

  • system design and development for in-vitro diagnostics
  • medical devices and active medical implants
  • support with clinical studies and certification

Our design, development and verification processes in accordance with GAMP fulfil medical guidelines and guarantee a smooth design process from first prototypes to volume production. ISO-13485 certification and broad knowledge of hardware, software, sensors and algorithms, combined with experience from successful projects makes Art of Technology an ideal partner for your medical applications.

Power Management

Power Management

Energy management is one of the key issues in the development of electronic systems, especially in mobile, portable and wearable devices where the optimal use of energy is extremely important. Such devices are often powered by batteries which are not only one of the main restrictions in the miniaturisation of a product but are also directly related to the runtime of a device, which should always be as long as possible.

Batteries are typically specified by three main characteristics: chemistry, voltage and specific energy (capacity, i.e. the discharge current a battery can deliver over time), with products which require long runtimes using batteries with a high specific energy, whereas products such as power tools use batteries with a high specific power (loading capacity). With our many years of experience we can help you with the design and development of your product and various types of power supply, e.g.:

  • battery power
  • wireless energy transmission
  • power over ethernet (PoE)

Sensor Development

Sensor Development

In addition to the development and adaptation of sensors we have, in collaboration with our customers who often bring in-depth knowledge of the application and specific medical expertise, developed electronics required for the sensors (e.g. EEG logger, strain gauge, temperature) and created algorithms for the measurement data which are then integrated into a complete sensor or measurement system, e.g.

  • multi-sensor system to detect helplessness (monitor people at risk)
  • non-invasive measurement of blood pressure, glucose, pulse (on the wrist)
  • development of sensors to detect or measure trace gases, moisture, pressure (e.g. medical implants)
  • research and development of biomedical sensors and measurement methods for physiological parameters (e.g. pulse, blood pressure) and other vital health parameters
  • development of new sensor techniques including extensive testing and clinical trials (e.g. non-invasive glucose measurements), followed by refinements and adjustments of methods until qualification and certification achieved

System Miniaturistion

System Miniaturisation

Although system miniaturisation is normally associated with ASICs, this is only one of many possible approaches. Evolving from the «EUROPRACTICE» project, we have an in-depth knowledge and extensive experience with system miniaturisation and High Density Packaging technologies (HDP). Based on the needs of project in question we use the most appropriate combination of techniques, methods and technologies, e.g.:

  • system upgrade
  • system partitioning
  • re-partitioning of electronics and software
  • technology selection