Example of a Full Upgrade

Our client's product line needed some extensive upgrading to compete, especially in its user interface. We and our client agreed that the new product would have a graphic LCD in place of discrete LEDs and a rotary encoder in place of push buttons. Although much of its internal operations remained unchanged, the new user interface and enhanced functions required that a new microcontroller be used.

To reduce development total time, we got a head start by designing our first prototype to fit on top of the microcontroller maker's demo board (photo1). This allowed us to develop our software on a real platform and to begin testing new circuits and our LCD.

The second photo is our second prototype with the new microcontroller and all other hardware on the same board (the LCD module is on the back). Note the little modifications on the NorthEast section of the board. These are nothing to be ashamed of because we intentionally completed this round of hardware before all circuits design was complete. In this way we were able to keep a good platform ahead of the software development, where the larger effort belongs.

Finally, all hardware modifications were incorporated into the third circuit board. The final product in operation is shown by the third photograph.