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about | products | services | careersembedded systems | mechatronics | machine vision |
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about | products | services | careersembedded systems | mechatronics | machine vision |
The 32-bit advantage
The cutting edge in microprocessors today has focused on the triple objectives of maximizing performance, integrating peripherals and minimizing power. This is causing the industry to shift away en masse from traditional 8-bit/16-bit microcontrollers, like 8051 and PIC controllers towards a new generation of fast, power-efficient 32-bit processors. 32-bit devices are available from a number of semiconductor manufacturers, and in a bewildering range of flavors. Common 32-bit microprocessor families include ARM, MIPS and x86 processors. Some well-known manufacturers of 32-bit processors are: Atmel, Analog Devices, Freescale, NXP, Texas Instruments, ST and Luminary Micro.
Embedded hardware services
Invention Labs is developing solutions for our clients based on 32-bit ARM technology. Our ARM7 and ARM9 reference designs are built around Atmel’s AT91 series of ARM micro-controllers. We have built a substantial library of hardware and software designs, which allow us to build validated solutions for our customers, speed up time to market, and deliver designs that are well-documented and easy to maintain. We assist our clients throughout their entire product development cycle - drafting product specifications, hardware and software design, development, prototyping, testing and field trials.
Embedded software services
In many high-performance systems, a micro-processor may not be sufficiently powerful. Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are often more appropriate for audio and video processing, number-crunching and control-system applications. Invention Labs has worked with DSPs from Analog Devices and Texas Instruments, and with devices with DSP extensions from Atmel and Microchip.
For systems that require even higher performance, or which have specialized requirements, an FPGA-based design may be appropriate. Invention Labs has expertise for FPGA-based designs, as well as DSP-FPGA and microcontroller-FPGA co-designs.
Networking
Invention Labs has worked extensively with networking stacks and has built wide expertise in Ethernet, WiFi, TCP/IP and Internet-based applications. Network devices that we have worked on in the past include media streaming, dynamic DNS, and SMTP-based email clients. We can assist our clients in making their devices internet-enabled, either through ethernet or through wireless standards such as WiFi and Zigbee.
Signal processing and control algorithms
Invention Labs engineers have worked with sound processing, image processing and control systems algorithms. Our sound knowledge of the mathematical foundations of these algorithms allows us to develop the most high-performance algorithms for a particular platform. Signal processing applications we have worked on in the past include: biometric authentication, image processing to detect fake currency, text-to-speech sythesis, and PID control of mechatronic systems.
The Open Source advantage
In addition to building proprietary real-time operating systems, Invention Labs is vastly experienced in leveraging open-source platforms, customizing and porting open-source operating systems to a variety of processor families. The operating systems we have worked with in the past include real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, customizable operating systems such as Ethernut, and full-fledged operating systems and application platforms, such as Linux.
The open source revolution allows companies to dramatically bring down the cost and development time for new and innovative applications. Invention Labs is well-poised to allow our clients to fully exploit this open-source advantage.