What does this mean exactly? What is it you do, specifically?

There are several steps between the customer's dream and the gadget-in-hand. They are:

• Schematic Capture. This means drawing a diagram of the gadget containing symbols representing integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors, wires, diodes, connectors, and other components. Click here * to see an example of a simple schematic.
  
• PCB layout. This is the artwork that will be used to fabricate the printed circuit board (PCB) itself. This contains copper traces which are represented by wire in the schematic, component "footprints" which the various parts will be soldered to, and "vias" which are copper-cored holes in the board that allow one layer of the board to be connected electrically with another. Here are examples of top and bottom PCB artwork.
  
• B.O.M. generation. The Bill Of Materials is the document which lists the components used in the gadget. It is used to order parts. Click here for an example of a B.O.M.
  
• Fabrication. This is the construction of the prototype itself. It may include local creation of the blank (unpopulated) PCB and will include the process of soldering the parts. Some designs may be fabricated in-house; more complex ones will be farmed out to a professional PCB "stuffer" with automated placement equipment.
  
• Programming. These days, only the very simplest electronic items are without some kind of programmed device. Gadgets with simple to intermediate processing needs are programmed in-house. More complex programs are farmed out to professionals in that art. Click here for an example of a fairly simple assembly language program.
  
• Testing. Black Box will never let a gadget leave the premises without some form of testing. We try to examine all facets of a device's intended operation if possible. In those cases where this is not possible (for example if the gadget is to be integrated with customer hardware that cannot be provided directly), we attempt to simulate the intended operation with detailed information solicited from the customer.
• Troubleshooting. This is almost a symbiotic part of testing. Invariably during development some circuit or program code section will misbehave. There are some simple projects which just work perfectly first time, but we'd be lying to you if we said that was the norm. Something always needs tweaked.

*   (Note: all clickable examples on this page are Acrobat .pdf files. Maximum file size 73 KB)


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