Introducing a new component or technology into a product can consume a surprising amount of engineering time. Datasheets and application notes need to be understood, evaluation hardware configured, interfaces exercised and real-world behaviour measured before the design team can confidently incorporate it into a product.

Fairfield Technology can take on this investigative work independently, reducing the load on your existing engineering team and allowing them to remain focused on the wider product development.

An investigation can range from evaluating a single IC or peripheral to exploring a complete technology or subsystem. Fairfield can study the available technical information, work with manufacturers’ evaluation boards, develop additional test hardware or software where required, perform practical measurements and establish a proven method of using the technology.

The results can be delivered as a detailed written report, presented and discussed with your engineering team on site, implemented as working embedded C firmware ready for integration into your project, or as a combination of these.

Previous investigations

Fairfield Technology has carried out technology investigations ranging from individual semiconductor devices to complete technology platforms. Previous work includes:

• RFID device — investigation and development work using a Holtek RFID IC.
• LED driver — evaluation and implementation of a Texas Instruments LED driver.
• EnOcean energy-harvesting technology — a broader investigation of the EnOcean system and its application, extending beyond the evaluation of a single component.

These projects demonstrate the range of an investigation: from understanding and proving an individual device through to evaluating a complete technology and determining how it can be applied within a product.