The result? A tailored, high-performance solution delivered with exceptional speed, minimal disruption, and long-term adaptability. The client was thrilled with the turnaround time, functionality, and overall value.

Learn more about DMC’s LabVIEW programming services and contact us for your next project.

The post LabVIEW Real-Time solution for Chemical Process Monitoring appeared first on DMC, Inc..

DMC developed a LabVIEW application that allows flexible test sequencing across different test stands. In addition, we integrated generic PC peripherals with the LabVIEW application to ensure that high-level functionality of common interfaces (Ethernet, USB, and Serial) was verified. Pairing precision instruments with everyday IO in a custom test sequence allowed for end-to-end product testing and was made possible by the NI TestStand development platform.

The test system is also fully integrated with a Microsoft SQL server database to ensure compliance with modern production requirements. Database-level traceability, especially in the automotive industry, allows manufacturers to confidently and securely store production data with ease of recall for internal reporting or external audit. SQL offers an extensive toolchain for custom data analysis and process performance analysis to ensure the system continues to run reliably throughout its lifecycle.

PCB function test systems are prevalent in modern production environments. Today, Embedded PCB devices have many sub-systems, so achieving complete test coverage with automated test solutions can be demanding. By utilizing a flexible hardware design, customizable software technologies, and partners with the expertise to integrate the system components, manufacturers can ensure a highly productive and effective path to delivering high-quality products.

Learn more about DMC’s Test and Measurement and Embedded expertise and contact us for your next project.

The post Bed of Nails PCB Functional Test System, Automotive Gauge Cluster Controller appeared first on DMC, Inc..

Software for battery test execution was programmed in LabVIEW for Real-Time to capitalize on deterministic performance and stand-alone reliability.  A PXI chassis with a Real-Time operating system provides critical control logic and data acquisition.  Each chassis is capable of running 10 asynchronous tests for 1000 hours or more.  The test chassis are on a local network, and store data to a central file server running an MS Windows Server and an SQL Server.  Any test on the system can be configured, controlled, and monitored from any PC on the network.  The custom Test Interface features the ability to define test steps, configure modular hardware, access a Battery Information database, and monitor live test conditions.  Raw data is stored in a TDMS format and is viewable through a custom data viewer and NI DIAdem.

Battery and Fuel Cell test environments can present significant safety concerns.  A lab-wide safety system consists of independent, highly available cRIO devices that monitor lab conditions and are capable of automatically shutting down tests in case of hazardous lab conditions.   This functionality is achieved with LabVIEW for Real-Time and for FPGA.

The system provides a modular, scalable, and fully configurable test platform, allowing the engineers and scientists at Argonne to accommodate and accurately test a wider variety of energy storage devices.  The high level of flexibility delivers precise test results without requiring the use of any one specific battery cycler hardware device.

Learn more about DMC’s Test & Measurement Automation expertise and contact us for your next project.

The post Battery Testing with Large Scale Distributed Platform appeared first on DMC, Inc..

During an upfront engineering phase, DMC helped our client evaluate and select hardware and software components based on their requirements. Our client decided on the Arduino Opta PLC option due to its robustness, flexibility, security, and native integration with Arduino Cloud. Arduino Cloud offered out-of-the-box OTA firmware updates, easy provisioning, and a robust REST API equipped, allowing third-party applications to remotely manage and interact with devices. The Arduino Cloud Enterprise Base plan also offered the flexibility to accommodate our client’s needs as the project expands. 

Adhering to our client’s requirements, DMC designed and assembled several prototype hardware boxes that could be easily integrated with the existing setup of car wash controllers.

Additionally, DMC developed the control firmware with the ability to initiate different wash packages and report device and wash controller statuses. Validation of the device functionality was performed using the Dashboarding capabilities on Arduino Cloud before integration with the third-party payment app. 

Are you seeking a rapid deployment custom embedded IoT solution? As a distinguished partner of Arduino, DMC brings extensive expertise to provide tailored solutions that enable you to effectively utilize Arduino Cloud and hardware in your next IoT project. Our offerings ensure out-of-the-box flexibility, scalability, and seamless integration, empowering businesses to innovate and streamline their operations.

Learn more about DMC’s Embedded expertise or Arduino Programming and contact us for your next project.

The post Car Wash IoT Gateway Device with Arduino Cloud appeared first on DMC, Inc..

The device consists of Bluetooth headset designed to measure EEG brain waves. The headset is accompanied by a mobile application which features multiple ‘modes’, each corresponding to a different mental state (ex. focused, relaxed). Audio and video in the app are designed to bring the user to the mental state described in the selected mode. EEG electrodes in the headset measure brain waves and determine the degree to which the selected mental state was achieved. At the end of the session, the app assigns the user a score depending on how closely they came to their goal.  

To prepare for the launch of this product, DMC engineers improved the sound quality and EEG measurement capabilities of the headset. Additionally, the DMC team made improvements to product stability, as well as the speed at which the headphones and app communicate. Lastly, DMC provided testing, experimentation, and product validation support. 

Learn more about DMC’s product development expertise and contact us to get started on your next project. 

The post Bluetooth EEG Brainwave Device Development appeared first on DMC, Inc..

The EOL tester is designed to verify the integrity and functionality of the Wireless Lockbox Controller before it leaves the production line. The system consists of a bed-of-nails (BON) test fixture that makes electrical contact with key test points on the DUT. Once the DUT is placed into the fixture, the test sequence begins at the push of a button. The test sequence is fully configurable and could include a number of steps, for example:

• Initial Power Test – Ensures the DUT powers are on correctly before programming.
• Program MCU – Flashing firmware and updating security parameters.
• Full Power Test – Verifies power consumption under normal operation.
• External Peripherals Test – Emulates internal/external sensor signals and performs actuators tests to ensure PCB functionality.
• Provision DUT – Configures the DUT for deployment, applying final settings.

By implementing this automated EOL tester, our client significantly reduced the risk of shipping defective products while increasing production speed and efficiency. The system’s reliability and scalability ensure it remains a valuable asset as the company expands into a very competitive EV market.

Need an automated test solution for your production line? Contact DMC today to discuss your requirements!

Learn more about DMC’s EOL Testing systems or other embedded solutions, and contact us for your next project.

The post End-of-Line Tester for a Wireless Lockbox Controller appeared first on DMC, Inc..

Provisioning each device securely registers it on the Sidewalk network, a process fully automated in the Docker-based build system.  

By buffering sensor readings locally and transmitting only essential, compressed data, the solution optimizes bandwidth usage while delivering extended battery life 

A custom Amazon AWS-based application was also developed to ingest and visualize the data received from the sensors. 

Overall, this evaluation system demonstrates the practicality of low-power, long-range IoT devices using Amazon Sidewalk.  

Learn more about DMC’s IoT and Amazon Sidewalk expertise and contact us for your next project. 

The post Amazon Sidewalk Evaluation Board appeared first on DMC, Inc..

By integrating a solar panel and employing efficient power management strategies, the robot can maintain extended battery life, reducing the frequency of manual recharging.

A high-performance MCU and IMU established a robust foundation for orientation tracking. In addition to IMU and magnetometer, the robot’s sensors include multiple distance measurement sensors to improve obstacle detection. This comprehensive sensor data, combined with advanced motor control, supports efficient and adaptive navigation in a range of environments.

The inclusion of a wireless module simplifies over-the-air firmware updates and device configuration. The main MCU can be seamlessly placed into bootloader mode by the wireless module, ensuring smooth firmware updates for the main MCU. Additionally, the wireless module features its own firmware update capability, allowing for a comprehensive firmware update system.

DMC also developed a PC-based application that allows users to monitor sensor readings, adjust parameters, visualize the robot’s orientation, and control the robot in real time. This tool streamlined testing and optimization while laying the groundwork for more complex autonomous control algorithms.

The post Autonomous Floating and Underwater Robotic Platform appeared first on DMC, Inc..

The UAVs used custom airframes, which required the control systems to be custom designed in order to accommodate the unique nature of the aircraft.

Airborne Flight Control System

DMC designed the UAV’s flight control system to consist of 2 subsystems — power management and flight control:

• The flight control subsystem, controlled by multiple high-performance microcontrollers, manages the processing of flight dynamics, ensuring accurate and responsive control as well as communication with the GCS over a wireless link.
• The power management subsystem provides safety measures, as well as manages power delivery and monitoring of the aircraft’s actuators according to commands from the flight control subsystem.

DMC’s Embedded Team developed the airborne hardware and firmware with the following benefits:

• Redundant Flight Sensors: These include RTK GPS, IMU, compass, barometric pressure, etc. to provide robust positioning and attitude data for flight control and navigation.
• Precise Trajectory: DMC developed custom real-time flight trajectory following controls, allowing users to specify an exact profile for the UAV to follow.
• Redundant Power: DMC’s power management subsystem supports power delivery from multiple sources, allowing reliable flight and providing users flexibility in battery options.
• Redundant Communication: The UAV flight control system communicates to the GCS over a redundant wireless link to ensure reliable communication in a variety of conditions.
• Enhanced Safety and Reliability: Following ISO-13849 design practices, DMC implemented comprehensive safety systems to automatically detect and address in-flight and grounded failures, ensuring operator safety and flight reliability at all times.

Ground Control Station

Our teams built a ground control station to act as the command center for the UAV system, offering comprehensive supervisory capabilities with the heart of the station being a custom .NET C# application to interface with UAVs, operators, and ground-based sensors.

DMC’s Application Development team designed this station with a focus on user-friendliness and adaptability and included:

• Real-Time Monitoring and Control. Providing operators with live flight data, including visualization of a UAV’s path on a geo-referenced map.
• Intuitive Touchscreen Interface. A custom-built graphical touchscreen interface enabling straightforward interaction and allowing operators to select flight trajectories, issue commands, and review diagnostics with ease.
• Integrated Design. DMC developed the ground control station and onboard flight control system together, providing seamless interoperability between the two systems.

Flight Tuning and Path Planning

In addition to the system design and development, DMC’s team of FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilots also performed real-world tuning.

Taking this additional step, DMC minimized the costs and material risks of flight controller tuning by developing a physics-based model of the aircraft and optimizing control inside a simulation environment prior to performing real-world tuning.

Our teams also developed a suite of custom flight planning tools in Python enabling the user to simplify visualizing and designing navigation missions and trajectories.

Learn more about DMC’s Embedded Development and Embedded Programming expertise and contact us for your next project.

The post Custom Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Control System appeared first on DMC, Inc..

DMC combined the two microchips into a single ESP32 module to lower costs and began by using the built-in capacitive touch on the ESP32 chip. To improve performance, DMC implemented a dedicated capacitive touch controller, which enhanced touch reliability.

Breez Smart Bedroom Fan & White Noise Machine

DMC’s upgrade of the product allows for over-the-air updates and temperature sensing through an added thermistor. It was also designed on a sturdy wood base to prevent rattling noise. The temperature sensing feature automatically turns on and off based on the temperature of the room, can be set to a timer schedule, and can be controlled with a smart plug. The added fan allows consumers to alter the temperature while the product still provides white noise.

DMC’s previous work with the client and our experience with firmware programming and circuit board design allowed us to provide a modern, updated solution and successfully upgrade to dedicated capacitive touch reliability.

Learn more about our Embedded Systems Platform expertise and contact us for your next project.

The post Consumer Device with Capacitive Touch & Over the Air Updates appeared first on DMC, Inc..