Electronic Product Development in San Jose

Silicon Valley has claimed fame for decades as a major home to technical product development. This is true not only for software businesses but also for engineering firms dedicated to the creation of advanced electronic products.

Electronic engineering now impacts nearly every industry:

• Medical devices for monitoring and diagnostics
• Communications devices from satellites to smartphones and voice assistants
• Automotive industry including accessories, GPS systems, safety features, and entire electronic vehicles.

Applying the right technology to each application can present a challenging environment for electronic engineers, with the continuing evolution of components and capabilities offered by sophisticated development tools and materials.

San Jose provides a thriving business climate for technology product development across many market sectors.

Wireless Product Development

Wireless products have taken hold not only with now-indispensable smartphones and other mobile devices but also throughout every industry. Creating electronics that power wireless products now requires a commitment to research and development to develop wireless products that incorporate:

• Miniaturization to accommodate devices such as smartphones, industrial automation, and wearable technology
• Reliable components that can withstand variations in temperature and extreme environments for industries such as aerospace and defense
• Bluetooth low energy (BTLE) technology
• Embedded software for mobile devices
• Security functions that are upgradable when new vulnerabilities are encountered

Wireless product development requires adherence to industry standards to ensure compatibility with the range of devices to be supported. This includes operational features, testing methodology, along with the use of reliable, high-quality components.

Automotive Product Development

Gone are the days when “shade tree mechanics” could open the hood of any car and resolve any problems with a few hand tools. Today, computers and printed circuit boards have taken the place of many mechanical functions. Trouble-shooting engine or other automotive components now requires sophisticated diagnostic equipment and a thorough understanding of technology.

Recent developments in convenience and safety features are only made possible through the adoption of electronics in automotive products.

• Miniaturized cameras that provide front, rear, side, and even top views of vehicle surroundings
• GPS systems that not only assist drivers with directions and traffic notifications but also inform dispatchers and emergency responders with precise vehicle locations
• Blind-spot detection systems that help avoid collisions

Sensors located throughout vehicles now inform drivers when tire pressures are low, when outside temperatures could present road hazards, and when drivers are too close to obstacles.

Technology has now opened markets to much more than vehicle accessories and features.

Fully electronic vehicles (EVs) are now taking a larger market share of new vehicles sold, with projected sales reaching 12 million by 2025. With increased battery capacity, improved manufacturing methodologies, and consumer concerns about environmental impact, the future of EV sales is poised to compete with internal combustion vehicles on an economic front as well. Increased demand and improved automotive electronics will drive costs down while efficiency and driving range are increased.

Medical Product Development

Electronics are playing an ever-expanding role in keeping earth’s population healthy, increasing longevity, and improving the quality of life. Medical electronics are critical in many aspects of healthcare.

Internal Function and Monitoring

Internal electronics are helping more patients with monitoring, controlling, and improving internal functions:

• Pacemakers
• Implantable Defibrillators
• Cochlear implants
• Internal brain stimulators

Each of these devices provides incredible value to the patient, and failure of the electronics is obviously not acceptable. Design of the circuitry and construction of these small medical products is critical in every phase of development:

• Conception
• Design
• Prototype development
• Testing
• Product development

Implanted electronics are subject to stringent testing, FDA approvals, and evaluation for tolerance within the human body. Any toxicity or incompatibility with bodily fluids or internal organs could result in a need for removal at best, or tragedy in more severe cases.

Every material and adhesive used in these medical electronics must consider these factors during design and production. Other factors influencing electronic design include exposure to electromagnetic fields and RF radiation.

Diagnostic Medical Electronic Products

Technology has produced some of the most impressive diagnostic medical electronics. These incredible tools enable physicians to diagnose and treat an enormous variety of medical issues.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRIs provide images of internal organs from muscles to brain tissue, utilizing powerful magnetic fields to “slice” through layers of tissue to reveal incredible detail for diagnosis of patient complaints. Although the methodology utilizes magnetic fields, measurements are powered by medical electronics.

CT scans: These have been in use for medical diagnostics since 1979. CT scans work by utilizing an array of X-rays from different angles to produce a cross-section view of a particular area of the body. CT scans also utilize electronic technology to provide valuable information to physicians – without surgery. This technology has become so widely used that millions of CT scans are performed worldwide each year.

Diagnostic equipment is a significant and valuable application for medical electronics.

Medical Instrumentation and Monitoring

Walk into any emergency room or hospital room, and medical electronics will be in use everywhere. These include:

• Blood pressure monitors
• Blood oxygen sensors
• Heart monitors and EKG equipment
• Defibrillators

These medical devices serve a critical function in providing information to nurses and physicians, benefiting patients.

Medical electronics save lives on a daily basis. Performance is crucial – failures could mean death for patients with implanted devices, or misdiagnoses if sophisticated testing equipment malfunctions.

Advances in medical electronics are only limited by the knowledge and creativity supplied by medical science and skilled electronics engineers.

SunMan Engineering – Quality Products and Service

San Jose consistently ranks high among U.S. cities for the best places to start a new business. Since 1990, SunMan Engineering has been providing our clients with high-quality electronic development from our home in Silicon Valley.

SunMan Engineering takes your electronic development project from concept to finished product. Call us today for the best in electronic design, prototypes, and technology solutions.