Digital Design
Innovative digital electronics design requires a high degree of familiarity with complex state-of-the-art components and technologies, as well as a broad range of design skills. Plextek's Digital Design Group has all these attributes and is experienced in the following key areas.
- High speed digital PCB design
- DSP algorithm development and implementation
- Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) design
- Digital radio design
- Baseband processing design
- Power Supplies
- Analogue and audio circuit design
In addition to its core digital design capabilities the group also has the knowledge and practical skills necessary to implement high speed interfaces linking to other digital, RF and optical circuits. For example, a recent project included a 12.5Gbits/sec implementation of the Altera FPGA SerialLite™ serial data protocol.
As can be seen from the following examples, Plextek also has the experience and understanding to undertake System level, Board Level and Gate Level design.
System Level Design
Plextek's system design experience includes overall system architecture design and electronic subsystem design. One of Plextek's particular strengths is the efficient partitioning of system architecture design between high and low speed hardware and software components, and the subsequent implementation of the fully integrated solution. All projects begin by forming an understanding of the system. The process is fully supported by appropriate use of simulation tools such as Matlab, MathCAD, Hyperlynx, C++ and VHDL.
Recent architectural designs include:
Recent design environments include:
Board Level Design
Plextek have developed board level designs for many standard and custom formats. The designs have covered the full spectrum in terms of cost, production volume, power consumption, component density and performance.
Recent examples include:
- Mobile gaming / high end PDA device which is high volume, low power consumption
- Baseband signal processing card for Software Defined Radio which is high performance, low volume
- 3U compact PCI card processing card which is high performance, ruggedised for harsh environment
Gate Level Design
Almost all modern digital designs include some element of programmable logic ranging from basic provision of logic gates in support of other digital circuits through to complete system functionality within a single or multiple logic device.
Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) Design
Plextek uses FPGAs from all the major vendors. We are members of the Xilinx Alliance Programand also the Altera Consultants Alliance Program (ACAP). As an independent consultancy we have the freedom to select the most suitable FPGA for the task in hand.
We have experience of a range of programmable logic design tools; where possible we try to standardise on the Mentor Graphics range of tools. Plextek is a member of Mentor's FPGA Advantage Solutions Thrust (FAST) Partner Programme
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) Design
ASICs can offer many advantages over traditional solutions. Although usually associated with volume production, ASICs can be highly cost-effective even for relatively short production runs. Plextek has a wide range of experience in this field. Our design team can offer services at all stages from feasibility, through design implementation, to introduction to manufacture, using advanced design and simulation tools to ensure success.
The correct choice of digital technology, based on a full knowledge of existing standard products is crucial to the viability of new product designs. Plextek's Digital Design Group is able to bring its extensive experience to bear on client product designs to achieve optimum cost and performance.
Plextek's Digital Design Group covers a comprehensive range of electronic design, please contact us for further information.
