Electronic Board & Software Redesign

We redesign electronic boards facing issues with End-of-Life (EOL) components or soaring prices. We also propose new value, such as miniaturization and power saving.

Redesign Solutions

Binary-Compatible Hardware Redesign

Component Selection & Circuit Design Image

For customers troubled by EOL components.

We propose a hardware redesign that maintains binary-level compatibility with your current software while ensuring a stable supply of components. We analyze your existing specifications and software, select alternative parts, and redesign the circuitry to provide an optimal solution considering cost, performance, and supply stability.

Microcontroller Replacement & Software Redesign

For customers looking to improve performance or add features to existing products.

We turn the challenge of a discontinued or underperforming microcontroller into an opportunity to dramatically enhance your product’s value. With expertise in both hardware and software, we provide a comprehensive proposal from component selection to software redesign, contributing to miniaturization, improved maintainability, and a stronger competitive edge.

Service Areas & Details

We address a wide range of redesign needs.

From handling EOL issues to enhancing performance, we provide optimal solutions to solve your challenges. We cater to various requests, including EOL component replacement, changes due to component price hikes, miniaturization, power reduction, performance upgrades, and addressing the loss of design know-how due to retiring engineers. We have extensive experience in redesigning various boards, including mixed-signal analog/digital circuits, and can flexibly respond to complex customer requirements.

Example Technologies

Category	Supported Technology
Circuit Type	Analog circuits, Digital circuits, Standard bus systems, etc.
Components	FPGA, CPU/MPU, Various memories, A/D & D/A converters, etc.

Redesign Case Studies

Case	Key Requirements for Design	Key Requirements for Testing	Notes
Redesigning a board to replace EOL components	Specifications, schematics, BOM, board data (for size/positioning)	Board testing environment, procedure documents	Adjustments to software or FPGA may be necessary.
Replacing only the FPGA	Specifications, schematics, FPGA entry info (RTL or schematic)	Simulation waveforms from the current product (for pass/fail judgment)	Circuit changes are almost always required due to FPGA power voltage changes.
Replacing the software (microcontroller)	Specifications, schematics, BOM, source code of the current software	New board, testing environment for the current board, procedure documents	On-device timing adjustments may be required.
Integrating an ASSP into an FPGA	Schematics, BOM, ASSP datasheet, current software specifications	Not required for simulation-based verification	Costs can be reduced by limiting the scope to functions used by the current software.

Development Achievements & Examples

Redesign of Industrial Equipment Control Board

Industrial Equipment Control Board Image

Modern, highly integrated FPGAs contain a wealth of features like extensive logic, Flash, SRAM, PLLs, and ADCs. By integrating not only the discontinued microcontroller but also surrounding peripheral components like ROM and RAM, we achieved reductions in cost, power consumption, and size.

Software Porting

Power Supply Board for Medical Equipment Image

We handle software porting even between completely different manufacturers and architectures (e.g., from PowerPC to ARM). By developing from the BSP (Board Support Package) level and porting the application, we achieved a smooth transition to the latest platform.

FPGA IP-i-fication Achievements

We ensure long-term product supply and stable operation by converting functions into FPGA IP. We port the functionality of discontinued ICs or hard-to-find ASICs/ASSPs to an FPGA, recreating them as IP cores. This secures a long-term component supply and extends the product’s lifespan. Below are some examples of our IP conversion achievements. We have also ported IP from manufacturers like Renesas Electronics to customer FPGAs.

Manufacturer	Model
Former HITACHI	HD64180S Z180, HD63B40 PTM, HD63B50 ACIA, HD68450 DMAC
TOSHIBA	TMP68303 68K
Former NEC	uPD82C51 UART, uPD72001 MPSC
Zenic	ZEN2041 Counter
Western Digital	WD1935 HDLC
Former Mitsubishi	M5L8253 Timer

FAQ

Can you handle End-of-Life (EOL) components?

Yes, we can. We provide comprehensive support, from selecting alternative parts for discontinued components to redesigning the circuit and adjusting the software accordingly. We ensure the long-term supply stability of your products.

What are the benefits of redesigning?

Redesigning not only addresses EOL component issues but also creates added values such as board miniaturization, power savings, performance improvements, cost reductions, and the adoption of the latest technologies. We contribute to strengthening your product’s competitiveness.

Can I request a software-only redesign?

Yes, you can. We accept software-only redesign projects, such as porting software for a new microcontroller or adding features and improvements to existing software. Please feel free to consult with us.