first when seconds count

Mezzanine card for experimental broadband communications facility

This project, carried out for the Queen’s University of Belfast, consisted of investigating the functionality of the Pamette board, a PCI card from DEC containing 5 Xilinx XC4000 FPGAs, and the provision of consultancy on the design and layout of a Common Mezzanine Card to carry a further 2 Xilinx FPGAs, DRAM, Flash ROM and a microprocessor.

The mezzanine card can connect onto and interface with the Pamette board to extend its capabilities, or operate completely independently as a standalone processing unit.

The purpose of this the project was to develop a powerful and flexible hardware platform as part of a multidisciplinary research project into the future applications of broadband communications networks, including robotics and telepathology.

Active Head Electronics for multiple ultrasonic probes

An internationally known research and technology organisation based in the North West of England required the design and development of an intelligent electronic unit to provide an interface between a host PC and up to 16 ultrasonic probes.

The unit was required to operate in inaccessible locations (e.g. offshore) and therefore small size and low power were required, with a single coax cable being used to carry power, communications and the high frequency ultrasonic returns.

Working to a stringent delivery timescale, Timestar designed, developed and prototyped the unit, containing

· Microcontroller (Intel 87C51)
· Custom designed FSK modem circuit to handle communications with the remote host
· Timing and drive circuitry to excite the ultrasonic probes
· Ultra low noise multiplexer and amplifier to transmit the ultrasonic returns to the host computer.

Petrol dispenser grade/price display unit

A multinational manufacturer of petrol station forecourt equipment required the substantial re-engineering of a petrol pump price/grade display unit, capable of working over a wide range of temperatures and supply voltages.

Timestar carried out electronic design, printed circuit board layout and manufacture, assembly, test and delivery of 5 units. This included the development of microcontroller firmware for the Intel 87C51, able to cope with power loss without permitting invalid readings to be displayed.

RTU Plant Interface Testers

As part of a major programme for the changeover of the distribution network from one SCADA system to another, a regional electricity company, based in the South of England, required the design and supply of four portable testers.

The purpose of these was to simulate the behaviour of typical external plant (including analog inputs, digital inputs and digital outputs) connected to one of the remote terminal units (RTUs) of a SCADA system.

Timestar carried out the electronic and mechanical design, including the specification of the carrying case and the design of custom metalwork, and manufactured the four units required.

Parallel/Serial Communications System

A major supplier of advanced road signage and messaging systems, based in North East England, required 8 digital multiplexer/demultiplexer units, capable of communicating with each other in pairs over serial links, and of mapping a set of parallel digital inputs at each end to a corresponding set of optoisolated outputs at the other.

The entire project, consisting of hardware design, firmware design in assembler for the Intel 87C51 (including a robust, error checking, message transfer protocol), PCB layout, manufacture and test, was completed within 10 working days.

A subsequent development of the system involved the incorporation of dial-up modems in place of hardwired serial links. Software to automatically initiate calls on change of any input, and manage a BABT-compliant retry regime, was developed and delivered within 6 weeks.

If you require further information, or would like to discuss your requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact us. For contact details, please click on the link.

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Last Updated :22 July 2008