electronica Nov 2014
6
E
MBEDDED
C
OMPUTING
How to select the right embedded
module and the right module provider
By Wolfgang Heinz-Fischer,
TQ Group
Once the decision
has been taken to use
an embedded module,
the search for the best solution
begins. Choosing a modular
solution has wide-ranging
consequences for the user,
so it is therefore very important
to make the right decision.
But how do I find the best
provider for me?
A STRONG PARTNERSHIP
When making the decision you have to think
about the right module and technology, as
well as the provider. In any case the goal is to
find a long-term, reliable solution, as the one-
off investment to purchase a modular design
should have long-term effects and not turn
out to have boomerang effects later on. There
are a lot of providers on the embedded market
and the range of modules available can be con-
fusing. The first questions are ones which are
linked directly to the module or processor and
answers to them can be found on the provider
websites. How much experience does the pro-
vider have with the selected processor and with
the chip provider? This is key for users because
they rely on the experience of the provider and
do not want to have to be part of a learning
curve with the module provider.
What exactly is provided, i.e. how much sup-
port does the user have? This comprises on the
one hand the Eval boards, starter kits or appli-
cation boards supplied. This includes a range
of application aids for the possible incorpora-
tion of interfaces. The more functions already
shown here, the more the user can benefit from
the experience of the module provider. What
about the documentation of the modules and
how are the application examples described?
The second, very important part concerns the
software support. What BSPs or other drivers
are available, and does the provider have its
own software department so that it can react
quickly in the event of an issue? And then there
are sometimes hidden points which could
play a key role. As already mentioned, soft-
ware support is important too, while the hard-
ware development support should also not
be underestimated. What about the provider
resources, or are they a one-man show? How
widely can the hardware support be provided?
Does the support only cover the module itself,
or can the provider also offer assistance for the
customer application board?
It is a lot of help to the user if the provider has
experience in the customer application envi-
ronment, and therefore doesn't have to deal
directly with the module in the event of queries.
Design support, e.g. a service like schematic
review, can considerably speed up the mod-
ular design and make it safer. In some cases
the provider may have already experienced
errors in the activation of the module during
the development of the starter kit, so that the
customer does not have to repeat these errors.
Support with the layout can also help to make
a design safer. This know-how is relatively easy
to see by taking a look at the Eval board or the
starter kit. How much technology is there, as
even the layout has already been successfully
implemented? An option here is, of course, that
the module provider implements the customer
application board in the layout using its own
resources and know-how. Another important
area is production. If the provider has its own
production unit, it can usually react quicker
and more flexibly to customer requests. In
this case the production quality is the respon-
sibility of the module provider. If an error
occurs in a module the provider can normally
determine quicker, using its own develop-
ment and production units, where the error
is and provide corresponding support. For
some module providers it is of course bene-
ficial to have a sub-contractor produce the
modules. After all, it is not always easy to keep
the own production lines up to date. When
it comes to module providers who produce
their own equipment, it is worth viewing their
production line(s). Here you can quickly see
what capacity the provider has and how well
equipped it is for future technical challenges.
If a production line malfunctions, what will
happen to the supply reliability? The loss of
some production lines after the tsunami in
Japan clearly showed how important this issue
is. It therefore generates a feeling of security
and trust if you also visit the supplier on site.
Of course, the production quality also cov-
ers corresponding test procedures and the
level of testing. How well is the module pro-
vider prepared for this? Does the user have
special requirements on the module regard-
ing certain test procedures that have to be
