Hardware Criteria for Concept, Prototype & Production

Software plays a crucial role in today’s worldwide scenario and becoming a lucrative career for young engineers compared to hardware in Automotive – Embedded domain. Software is (indirectly)dependent on Hardware. It is very crucial and weighs more on lead time of product. Hardware is chosen in terms of Computing, Memory, Communication/Networking, Security, etc, moreover End of life or Expectance life from silicon vendor and that should add value explicitly.

Other Considerable factors : Cost, Setting up or Platform, Training available on Hardware, EMI/EMC – Electro-Magnetic Interference / Electro-Magnetic Compatibility, Thermal analysis, Vibration, Functionality/crash Scenario, Noise analysis, Mechanical stress, Hardware software compatibility for chosen MCU/MPU or GPU, Flexibility and Adaptability.

Hardware lifecycle phase: Requirements - Concepts-Design - development - Production-Maintenance - End of life.

Here comes the tricky question, should an Open-Source hardware or proprietary hardware to be used for demonstration (Proof of Concept)?

General assumption is - Amateur go with Open source board and Professionals go with Proprietary boards.

There will be disputes on this topic, we will justify with help of scenario and data.

Prior to this, get to know about FOSH(free and open-source hardware) and Proprietary Hardware.

FOSH(Free and Open-Source Hardware):

Free and Open Source Hardware is a term for tangible artifacts(schematics, blueprints, logic designs, Computer Aided Design drawings or files) – machines, devices, or other physical design has been released to the public in such a way that anyone can make, modify, distribute, and use those for free.

"Open hardware," or "open source hardware," refers to the design specifications of a physical object which are licensed in such a way that said object can be studied, modified, created, and distributed by anyone.”

Open-source principles has to be followed, if this hardware to be using in Serial Production. Though we have all information available to public, there are also challenges on Endurance, Reliability and Durability of these hardware.

Proprietary hardware

There will be a proprietor who will own design, process or unique patent over the Hardware and there will be cost involved with prior agreements. It means the hardware as such or piece of hardware design or any other artifacts shall not be created, modified or produced without getting permission from Proprietor of hardware.

Rapid Prototyping: Focus more on ultimate results (functionality than Serial production aspect). To demonstrate the Idea from Paper to Product.

Collaboration: Participations from respective cross functional teams or partners contributing to meet end goal. It could be a joint activity with OEM and Supplier partner or Universities.

Provides opportunity to integrate Proof of Concept with Existing proven Architecture with Proprietary Hardware.

Serial Production

Once Proof of concept is proven, then design and development shall be on Proprietary hardware to start serial production with specific requirements as per needs.

Open innovation : It is the practice of businesses and organizations sourcing ideas from external sources as well as internal ones. This means sharing knowledge and information about problems and looking to people outside the business for solutions and suggestions.

Please do share your thoughts!