Hardware Development
Custom hardware for NXP®-based systems, with expertise in the underlying System-on-Modules.
NXP® Gold Partner Development Experts
MicroSys develops customer-specific hardware around NXP® processors and our miriac® System-on-Modules. Because we design and manufacture the modules ourselves, we know their interfaces, power requirements and operating limits in detail. This reduces design risk and shortens the path from first concept to series production.
Our services range from individual expansion cards and custom carrier boards to single board designs and complete turnkey solutions, including mechanics and enclosure. Where proven CRX carrier boards and ADX expansion cards fit the requirements, we use them as a starting point. Software, BSP and security aspects are covered by our software services.
Custom Carrier Board Design
To match the connectors, form factor, supply voltage and environmental conditions of your application, we develop a carrier board for the miriac® System-on-Module of your choice. The design builds on our proven CRX carrier boards and their validated module interface, which reduces development effort and the risk of redesigns.
Prefer a ready-made solution? Our off-the-shelf carrier boards are designed to fit our SoMs.
Expansion Card Design
Expansion cards add specific functions to an existing platform without changing the carrier board, for example additional network, bus or I/O interfaces. We develop them in standard formats such as M.2 or as mezzanine cards for miriac® platforms. A well-defined card can be reused across several products and variants.
Prefer not to design your own? Our off-the-shelf expansion cards are ready to plug in.
Single Board Design
For higher volumes, we merge System-on-Module and carrier board into a single, application-specific board. This reduces size, component count and unit cost while retaining the proven module design as the basis. We support the transition from a module-based prototype to an optimized single board design.
Turnkey Solution Development
With turnkey development, MicroSys takes responsibility for the complete system: hardware, mechanics and enclosure, BSP and software, as well as the documentation and conformity evidence required for your application. Series production, including printed circuit boards, is carried out together with EMS and manufacturing partners. This gives you a single point of contact from the first requirement to the finished product.
Looking for a turnkey solution? See examples of what we have delivered.
Our Development Approach
Steps to Excellence
- Project Management: Plan milestones, quality gates and risk mitigation.
- Requirements development: Elaborate, analyse and verify requirements, agreed jointly with you.
- Solution concept: Assure feasibility, select SoM, assess architecture and effort at start of project.
- Hardware architecture: Create detailed architecture and select components.
- Schematic and layout: Design with simulation results, followed by formal reviews.
- Prototype and bring-up: Manufacture documents, prototype build and commissioning.
- Verification and board acceptance: Tests against hardware specification as board acceptance before production release.
- System and acceptance test: Test against system requirements with full traceability, followed by an acceptance test together with you.
Standards and quality
Our development follows a structured, documented process based on the V-model, with requirements traced through to verification. Our quality management is certified according to ISO 9001:2015.
We support the requirements for EMC, CE conformity and market-specific standards, and have realized projects in the regulatory environment of IEC 61508, DO-160 and EN 50155. We also support development in the context of automotive functional safety (ISO 26262) and machinery safety in industrial automation (ISO 13849). Many of our System-on-Modules are prepared for use in these environments.
Capabilities
Our hardware development covers the disciplines that determine whether an embedded system works reliably in its target environment. State-of-the-art design tools, simulation and modern laboratory equipment support each stage, from concept to board acceptance.
Network and bus interfaces
We design Ethernet from Gigabit to multi-gigabit, including 10GBASE-T, SFP+ and QSFP+ connections, and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). For vehicle and industrial networks, we implement Single Pair Ethernet (BASE-T1), including switch-based topologies, and Power over Data Lines (PoDL) for supplying remote nodes over the same cable. Fieldbus and vehicle bus interfaces such as CAN, LIN and FlexRay complete the range.
System and display interfaces
Further interfaces include USB, PCIe and M.2, SATA and SD, as well as display, camera and audio interfaces such as LVDS, MIPI-DSI, DisplayPort and MIPI-CSI. Debug, trace and service access are planned into the design from the start.
High-speed design
Multi-gigabit links require controlled impedance, careful routing and signal and power integrity analysis. Our experience with the high-speed interfaces of the processors we use in our own modules allows us to implement these requirements reliably on custom boards.
Power supply and protection
We develop supply concepts for wide input voltage ranges, for example 9 to 24 V DC, with voltage monitoring and overvoltage protection suited to vehicle, machine and industrial environments.
Thermal and mechanical design
Thermal behavior is considered from the first concept. We design for fanless operation where the application allows, verify heat dissipation by analysis and measurement, and match boards and enclosures to industrial and automotive temperature ranges. Mechanical design also covers shock and vibration requirements as well as environmental influences such as dust, humidity and chemically aggressive media.
Collaboration
What You Receive
Depending on the project, the deliverables of a custom development include:
- Hardware manual with interface documentation
- Layout
- Conformity evidence
- Board acceptance
- First article inspection report (FAI / EMPB)
Further documents are available on request.
Start Your Project
Tell us about your application. The following information helps us with a first assessment: required interfaces, operating environment, target quantities and schedule. If you are designing your own hardware, our Design-In Support provides review and guidance.
