Products that work in the field
From rail yards to rooftops: clients who needed electronics that work outside the lab. For each one, the challenge, our role and the result.
Seismic detection of unauthorised presence25 m detection range, unnoticed in an active yardApplied R&DC-02Avia-GIS
Rugged sensor nodes for environmental monitoringValidated in the field in South Africa and TurkeyApplied R&D
Product (re)engineeringC-03Smappee
Wi-Fi module with Matter for the Linky meterProof of concept in weeks, now in productionApplied R&D
Product (re)engineeringC-04Skylux
New electronics and firmware for smart roof domesThree smart-home ecosystems through MatterProduct (re)engineeringC-05Gigacom
Pin-compatible stepper driver for fibre robots5,000+ pieces, reordered every yearProduct (re)engineering
Seismic detection of unauthorised presence
Detection range for human activity, measured in the trial set-up.
Challenge
NMBS was looking for a discreet, scalable way to detect unauthorised presence in rail yards early, as an alternative to visible or expensive surveillance.
Our role
- Custom PCB with compact seismic sensors
- Hidden sensor housings for the trial set-up
- Wired set-up and dashboard for data analysis
Result
- Human activity detected up to 25 m from the installation point
- The set-up went unnoticed in an active NMBS yard
- Data show that a sensor network can form the basis for yard monitoring
Rugged sensor nodes for environmental monitoring
Proof of concept tested in the field, in South Africa and Turkey.
Challenge
Avia-GIS works with SenZitall on environmental monitoring in remote areas. That required rugged, solar-powered sensor nodes with wireless and satellite communication.
Our role
- Sensor node PCB with GPS, IMU, solar power and LoRa
- Sensors in stainless-steel IP housings
- Gateways with cellular and satellite, dashboards in Grafana
Result
- Proof of concept validated in South Africa and Turkey
- Data backhaul over cellular and satellite
Wi-Fi module with Matter for the Linky meter
From a proof of concept to a module in production.
Challenge
Smappee wanted to bring a Wi-Fi module for the Linky smart meter to market in France. Feasibility and technical risks had to be clear quickly.
Our role
- Proof of concept within a few weeks: reading out the Linky meter
- Design and production of the Wi-Fi module for market introduction
- Matter integration and a system for remote diagnostics
Result
- Feasibility validated and POC insights carried into the product design
- Onboarding through Matter
- Remote diagnostics, also across different types of Linky meters
New electronics and firmware for smart roof domes
Connected through Matter to Google Home, Apple Home and SmartThings.
Challenge
Skylux wanted to modernise the electronics of its roof domes and make them compatible with smart-home ecosystems.
Our role
- New electronics and embedded firmware
- Matter integration and control based on sensors and weather data
- New remote control, produced locally
- Design for production and a service tool for technicians
Result
- Domes react automatically to rain, heat and preferences
- Over-the-air updates, self-diagnosis and automatic recovery built in
- Lower production cost than the previous generation
Pin-compatible stepper driver for fibre robots
Stepper drivers produced, with new orders every year.
Challenge
Gigacom builds robots that automatically re-patch and measure fibre panels. They needed a compact stepper driver that could replace an existing commercial design one to one.
Our role
- TMC2209 driver board, pin-compatible with the original design
- Prototypes within a few weeks, then refined iteratively
- Industrialised for volume, with conformal coating against moisture
Result
- Integrated in Gigacom’s robots for fibre management
- Local production, so Gigacom can scale up quickly
- Used today in robots that are in the field
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