Our Expertise

Our engineers have a wide range of expertise, with advanced degrees in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering and physics. We love taking on challenging problems and working with our clients to provide the best solution for them. Here is a sampling of the many successful projects we have completed. As we value our client’s confidential information, detailed information about some of our projects have been omitted.

Automated Visual Inspection and Characterization of Millions of RFID Tags

The Challenge
Our client, working with the Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission, approached us with the challenge of creating the software for their RFID test machine. The test system had to measure the tag’s dimensions, evaluate the tag’s electrical characteristics, perform statistical analysis — and be designed to test more than 1.1 million tags a year. To achieve this, a system with sophisticated integration of motion, vision, signal generation and data acquisition was needed.

Our Solution
Working with our client, we were able to fully automate the test process. Using a line scan camera, images of each tag are analyzed, the tags are then moved into a custom antenna to characterize its RF properties. The tags are automatically sorted into bins based on the results of the tests.

The Results
By individually testing and characterizing each tag, the Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission was able to improve data collection rates and more accurately and reliably track fish migration.

High-Speed Data Acquisition, Real-Time Motion Control, and Integration with Existing Control Systems

The Challenge
Our client required real-time closed-loop control of 10+ axes of motion incorporating dozens of sensors while synchronously streaming high-speed data to an existing database system. The system also needed to be able to send data and receive commands from a central control system not running LabVIEW.

Our Solution
By using multiple CompactRIO controllers we were able to meet the demanding performance and timing requirements for this project. Data was sent over Ethernet using a combination of TCP and UDP streams in order to effectively communicate with the existing non-LabVIEW systems.

The Results
Our client was able to reduce time between test iterations, resulting in faster development with better management of test data.

A Rugged, Expandable Outdoor Test Platform with Wireless Remote Monitoring Interfaces

The Challenge
A client needed a modern, expandable platform for conducting testing in a large outdoor environment with the ability to display live data at multiple remote sites. The main control room was located too far away for sensor cables or even traditional Ethernet cable to be feasible.

Our Solution
Utilizing a CompactRIO controller, we were able to take measurements in the field, handling all the signal processing and conditioning near the structures tested, and send data back to the control building using fiber-optic cables. A PC in the main control building ran the test control software while a wireless connection allowed multiple laptops to view the test data live from a secondary building or in the testing area.

The Results
The remote monitoring software allows engineers in the field and clients inside the facility to view the test in progress. The reliability and flexibility of the platform allows the customer to add additional measurement capabilities in the future at minimal cost.

LabVIEW Powered Software for State-of-the-art Instrumentation Products

The Challenge
Our client designs and builds state-of-the-art non-contact conductance instrumentation. They approached us with the challenge of creating the software for their new PC based products. Since they already had interested clients, completing the software development in a short time-frame was critical.

Our Solution
LabVIEW was a natural choice for developing the software because of its inherent compatibility with hardware and instrumentation. We worked with the client to design a user interface that was easy to use and met the quality standards for their products.

The Results
Our experienced programmers were able to deliver a cost effective solution that allowed the client to get their products to market quickly, without sacrificing reliability or features. They are successfully marketing and selling their new products and continues to develop their product line for non-contact conductance measurements.

More than just technical skills

While we’re technically proficient, we know that successful project execution require more than just technical skills.

Our clients also benefit from our excellent project-management and communication skills, thorough understanding of good software-development practices, familiarity with application of testing and validation methods in a wide range of industries, and meticulous project documentation.

Starting right

We start projects right, by defining and planning thoroughly up front. We handle high-risk items as soon as possible and perform project reviews with stakeholders early on.

We start testing software right away and keep testing often throughout the project. We track our progress against the project plan and communicate with you regularly. We use change control procedures to keep feature creep and costs under control. And we’ll never let an inexperienced engineer loose on your project.

A Wide range of expertise

We’re skilled in test, measurement and automation application development using LabVIEW, LabVIEW Datalogging & Supervisory Control, LabVIEW RealTime, LabVIEW FPGA.

Our areas of special expertise include:

Distributed I/O systems (CompactRIO)
Data acquisition systems
Motion systems
Vision systems
Sensors and instrumentation
Electronics
Physics