Customer Background & Requirements

The client required the development of an integrated security and communication system, centered around two core hardware components: the Safety Programmable Keypad/Controller (Master) and a Slave Keypad.

Solution Provided by Electrobit Technology:

This solution was specifically designed to enhance security and communication capabilities in demanding environments, such as healthcare facilities (e.g., nurse call systems, wander management, and infant security). The primary goal was to engineer a robust and user-friendly solution that significantly surpasses current market offerings by integrating advanced features informed by practical field experience.

Services Provided:

We provided comprehensive full-cycle engineering services to bring this sophisticated controller to market:

Hardware Development

  • Completed end-to-end design from initial
  • Involved schematic capture, meticulous component selection, professional PCB layout and design, physical prototyping, and detailed BOM analysis.

Firmware Development

  • Development of low-level drivers and the application
  • Implementation of device control logic and
  • Incorporation of user-friendly firmware upgrade functionality via USB

Board bring-up and Validation : Successful board bring-up and thorough debugging of all integrated peripherals to ensure full operational readiness.

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Challenges Overcome:

This project presented several non-trivial engineering hurdles that were successfully navigated:

  • Robust Upgrade Mechanism: Developing reliable firmware upgrade Support using a USB stick for the main controller.
  • Distributed Updates: Ensuring seamless firmware updates for the Slave Keypad via a combination of USB stick and RS485 communication.
  • Data Management: Implementing secure Import/Export functionality for critical files, including configuration settings, the access card list, and the event log.
  • Wiegand Protocol Implementation: Successfully scanning and parsing the Wiegand code from the RFID reader for precise user authentication.
  • System Initialization: Executing a complex Board Bring-Up phase to validate all integrated hardware components.

Technologies Used:

The Safety Controller leverages a robust technology stack for performance and reliability:

    • Data storage (External NOR Flash Memory): Storing configuration, access lists, event logs, and binary firmware files.
    • Logging ( Real Time Clock): Accurate time-stamping of event logs stored in flash, utilizing Unix timestamps.
    • Use Input (Keypad Interface): Handling user code entry, status acknowledgment, and system configuration.
    • User Feeback (LCD Display): Providing system alerts, status information, and a graphical user interface (GUI) for editing configurations.
    • Networking ( RS 485 Port ) : Enabling master slave communication (with the Slave Keypad) and future daisy-chaining to a central server.
    • Maintenance ( USB Host Mode Support ) : Facilitating easy field maintenance for importing/exporting data and executing firmware upgrades.