Software Development

Ionocom offers development of firmware to support designs that include embedded processors. Firmware is embedded software that is a permanent part of the product, typically stored in Flash memory and usually performing low-level functions that directly control the hardware. Firmware can perform functions that range in complexity from simple control of buttons and displays through to complex multi-tasking features such as TCP/IP networking. Firmware often performs "real-time" functions.

We have experience with 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers ranging from the industry standard 8-bit 8051 to the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4, from supplies such as Microchip, Texas Instruments, Freescale, NXP and Atmel. We also have experience with 32-bit microprocessors and digital signal processors from suppliers such as Texas Instruments, Freescale and Renesas. We have used toolchains from suppliers such as Keil, IAR, Microchip, CCS and Microsoft as well as open-source products such as eclipse and GCC.

We also have experience with the Arduino ecosystem. Client's prototypes often start out based on Arduino boards, and we have also designed the ESP32 SoC in to several products and written firmware for them based on the Arduino framework.

We can write firmware in C++, C or directly in assembly language where speed or code size requires.

We can develop low-level firmware to run directly on the hardware, and also higher-level code using executives or real-time operating systems. We have experience with many real-time operating systems including MQX, TI-RTOS, SPOX and Free-RTOS.

We have particular experience developing code for the low-power, limited-speed, memory-constrained environment typical of low-cost designs.

Clients find that having firmware developed concurrently with the hardware, by the same team, is more efficient, faster and less risky than having firmware developed separately.

We use standard tools such as Subversion and Git for revision control and configuration management.

Next: Prototypes to Production