Embedded Development:  it’s one of the things I do.  Say for example you have an idea for a new product.  Perhaps it’s the sort of product that needs to have a level of intelligence.   For example:  a gadget that tracks the sun with a solar collector.   Maybe an automatic sprinkler system for your garden?  Either of these ideas can, and have been brought to reality with simple mechanical or electromechanical means, but the potential for lower cost and greater functionality exists today by designing such things with “Embedded Control Systems”.

It all starts with an idea. OK so, say I want to create a modern engine management system for the engines on older cars. Why? Well there may be a number of advantages…

1. Replace the Carburetor with Electronic Fuel Injection for several reasons:
a. Less routine maintenance is required
b. Greater control over the delivery of fuel
c. Reduced pollutant emissions
d. Improved fuel economy
e. Potential to use a wider variety of fuels

2. Replace the mechanical spark distributor with any of several solutions with fewer moving parts and no High voltage moving parts that require frequent replacement due to arcing erosion/deposition.
3. Add a modern monitoring system with performance and fault reporting and recording capabilities.
4. It’s just a great idea!

So a while back, and inspired by the lure of prizes from a design competition I embarked on just such an adventure. Now it’s just something that I only occasionally get a chance to work on as my paying work keeps me quite busy these days. At this stage the first bench prototype has been in existence for about 19 months, and has been used to develop and test a variety of firmware code features. In the next several months, a second generation prototype will be designed to take the project to the next level.