OUR PROCESS

The CEPD Engineering Process

Project Quality Plan

1. Initial Research

Our team works with you to determine the feasibility of your concept.

At the same time, we identify appropriate and available or potential technologies as well as necessary tools. These include software packages and compilers and test equipment.

2. Project Requirements Review

Our engineering team then reviews the following items for thoroughness and accuracy:

  • Electrical characteristics
  • Mechanical characteristics/packaging
  • Environmental limits
  • User interface/control
  • Communications protocols, both internal and external to the product
  • Regulatory Compliance (FCC, CE, RoHS, UL)

3. Develop a Proposal

We research initial material costs and the necessary development tools for your project. We then itemize deliverables and create a task list. Following this, labor time and cost is estimated and we create a preliminary schedule. A CEPD engineer then writes the Proposal and hands it off to a CEPD owner before we send it back to you. If the owner accepts the proposal, a PO must be received before we can begin work.

4. Project Definition

Once requirements are determined, the system and/or subsystem architecture may be completed. Our team references applicable industry standards including: 

Electrical Designs

  • MIPs, memory, interrupts and desire peripherals, ect. are specified

Layout

  • Includes the expected number of layers, critical routing, critical component, and connector placement, physical dimensions of chassis or board, ect.

5. System and/or Subsystem Architecture

Once requirements are determined, the system and/or subsystem architecture may be completed. Our team references applicable industry standards including: 

Electrical Designs

  • MIPs, memory, interrupts and desire peripherals, ect. are specified

Layout

  • Includes the expected number of layers, critical routing, critical component, and connector placement, physical dimensions of chassis or board, ect.

6. Design Phases

There are two phases within the greater Design Phase. These phases include:

  1. Electronics and Software
  2. The Layout Process

Design Phase 1: Electronics and Software

First, our engineers start with software and firmware design which includes coding compiling and linking. Next, they do the electrical and electronic design. During this, they cover acquiring datasheets, creating HDL code and/or schematics, netlist and BOM, specifying board outline, controlled impedance traces, guarded areas, trace widths, test points and critical component placement, wiring harness designs and connector selection.

All aspects of electronic and software design will include:

  • Design and rules checking
  • Eliminating errors and warning messages
  • Critical section verification including simulation or test
  • Writing a theory of operation
  • A detailed design review at the end of Design Phase 1

Design Phase 2: The Layout Process

The Layout Process has two review milestones which include the initial review and the second review. The initial review after the board outline, component footprints, and component placement is completed. The second and final review of the board occurs after routing and design or rules checking, prior to the fabrication of your circuit board.

During the final review, our team will also check the Gerber files, we will archive schematics and layout files and the revision numbers will be incremented each time we fabricate a board with changes. Finally, we archive a redlined version showing changes or rework.

7. Unit Test

Our engineering team writes the hardware and the software unit and system test plans and procedures. We construct prototypes, test the hardware and software modules and systems individually and then verify that the requirements are met following the unit tests. We document the test results electronically.

8. Integration and Verification Test

At this time, we combine and then debug the hardware and software modules and subsystems. We then review the test results to determine whether or not the requirements were adequately covered and the overall system test passes. Test results are then documented electronically.

9. Release and Approval

If necessary, we imbed any hardware rework, we revise software if it is impacted by the hardware revisions, and we fabricate boards, and/or wiring again. Prior to manufacturing release, we verify the hardware and software again. You (the client) approve the release (acceptance of design, in writing).

10. Other Deliverables

Each project is different, and may require its own set of deliverables. These may include: 

  • Required weekly client status reports
  • Documentation such as User’s guides (Installation, use, ect.) , troubleshooting/maintenance guides, and other documentation as specified in the project requirements
  • Regulatory approvals (FCC, EMI, UL, CE, RoHS, ect.)

Why Our Process Works

Our process is specifically designed to ensure the success of your project and to eliminate many of the common risks associated with electronic product design and other industry-related services. When this process is not followed, it can propose problems including but not limited to: 

  • The quality of our work (and your end product) may suffer.
  • Uncontrolled scope creep may occur (requirements change over time, deliverables become impossible to meet, this can be managed through an ECO process).
  • Your project may go over budget or fall behind schedule.

Please contact us with questions about the engineering process at CEPD, or to schedule a call with one of our team members. We look forward to helping you turn your design idea into a real, working product.