Custom Design Gallery
Here are some recent embedded controller board designs selected from the many consultancy projects we have undertaken.We designed all of these boards, manufactured most of them, and wrote the application software for many.
These boards are not for sale. They are shown here only as an indication of our capabilities.
See here for more information on our Design Services.
Gas Sensor Interface
This controls an array of gas sensors to monitor air quality.Technologies
- Relays and digital outputs
- 4-20mA 18 bit analogue input with overcurrent protection
- All I/O connected by I2C
- VM2 controller on standard application board (not shown)
- Colour Graphics display (not shown)
Software
Venom2 code written by customer.Precision Complex-Impedance Instrument
This device measures complex impedance (i.e. real and
imaginary parts) to better than 0.01%. It
can read twelve channels concurrently at up to 100KHz.
Technologies
- Fast 16-bit ADCs
- High speed, high precision analogue design
- DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) - of drive frequency
- ARM Cortex-M3 Microcontroller (STM32)
Software
Embedded C: Full driver software, including Fourier techniques and complex analysis, written by Micro-Robotics.Graphical User Interface Controller: Medical
This unit sits at the heart of several different high-end medical
instruments. It was
commissioned because embedded PCs proved too slow and unreliable.
Technologies
- CAN Bus
- SD/MMC Memory Card
- Full colour LCD (TFT or CSTN)
- Touch Screen
- Very low power consumption
Software
Embedded C: Comprehensive self-test suite written by Micro-Robotics; application code written by customer.Swimming Pool Plant Room Controller
Controls and monitors swimming pool dosing, flow rates, temperature, etc.Based around our standard VM1 controller (seen left of image), and also carrying our QVGA Display Driver and Ethernet modules.
Technologies
- Ethernet
- CAN Bus
- GSM Modem with SMS text messaging
- QVGA LCD & Touchscreen
- Fully isolated analogue input sections
- Pulse counting inputs
- Thermistor inputs
- Relay outputs
Software
Venom-SC: Application code written by Micro-Robotics. Venom-SC applications are easily modified by the OEM on site.Ultra-High Impedance Buffer Amplifier
Probe-head buffer amplifier to signal-condition pH and Redox probes for plant room control system above. Copes with source impedances in the Gig-Ohm range.Technologies
- Ultra-high impedance circuit techniques.
Software
-None-Vacuum Pump Controller: Medical
Controls vacuum applied to an airtight dressing to reduce wound healing times. Has saved many lives. Mains or battery powered.
Very high volume product: 24,000 units manuafactured by us
as of December 2010.
Technologies
- Pressure sensors
- Pump Drive
- Graphical user interface: 16-level grey scale QVGA LCD
- Touch Screen
- On board high capacity serial flash
Software
Embedded C: Self-test suite written by Micro-Robotics; application code written by customer.Portable Vacuum Pump Controller: Medical
Portable version of the device above. Can be worn at the patient's hip. Battery powered.
Technologies
- Pressure sensors
- Space/form-restricted design
- Innovative pump drive software for power saving
Software
Embedded C: Full application and self-test code written by Micro- Robotics.Remote-control Visual Basic application to monitor and control units in the field over telephone line, and also update operating system: written by Micro-Robotics.
Clinical Nerve Stimulator
Delivers high voltage, low energy pulse stream to patient's skin and monitors response. Engineered for size, cost, user interface and power consumption.Technologies
- High voltage pulse generation and measurement
- Small form factor graphics LCD
- Very low power consumption
- Ergonomic handheld design
- Pay-as-you-go credit scheme with encrypted recharge facility
Software
Embedded C: Written by Micro-Robotics. PC-based recharge application written by Micro-Robotics.Clinical Nerve Stimulator - Prototype
Prototype for the above, based on our standard VM1 embedded
controller. Fifteen prototypes were used in successful clinical
trials before the production unit was commissioned.
The controller is not fitted in this image. It plugs into
the black connectors and is the same width as the main board.
Software
Embedded C: Written by Micro-Robotics.Down-Hole Data Logger
Measures physical parameters several kilometres down a borehole, transmitting them to the surface over a current loop serial link. Based on our standard VM1 controller, seen here mounted in the centre of the main board.This was a quick turn-around design to meet ship sailing deadline: six weeks from contact to working prototypes, further three weeks to production units.
Technologies
- 10 channels of 16-bit analogue data acquisition
Software
Venom-SC: Application code written by customer.Concrete Mixing Plant Controller
Pneumatic Mattress Controller: Medical
High volume, low cost controller for therapeutic mattress.
Alternating inflation of mattress cells to reduce risk of bedsores.
230/115 VAC Mains powered.
Technologies
- Pressure sensors
- Opto TRIACs