Solution
Embedded Systems Design & Development
Cerebrus designs embedded systems end to end — the custom electronics, the real-time software that runs on them, and the interface an operator uses. When a product or machine needs dedicated control electronics rather than a general-purpose controller, we develop the hardware and firmware together so the system is reliable, responsive, and cost-effective at production volume.
Custom PCB hardware and real-time firmware
We design custom printed circuit boards for the specific job — microcontroller selection, power, sensing, motor and solenoid drive, and communication interfaces — laid out for signal integrity, thermal performance, and manufacturability. Designing our own hardware means the electronics are matched to the product instead of forcing the product around a stock board.
On that hardware we develop real-time firmware: deterministic control loops, sensor acquisition, motor and actuator control, communication stacks, and safety logic. Where timing is critical, firmware is structured to meet real-time deadlines reliably, which is essential in motion and process-control applications.
Human-machine interfaces (HMI)
We develop the operator interface that sits on top of the embedded system — from simple panel displays and control layouts to richer touchscreen HMIs — so operators can run, monitor, and diagnose the equipment clearly. Interface design covers status, control, alarms, and diagnostics, presented in a way that reduces operator error.
Because embedded work at Cerebrus usually supports our machinery, robotics, and solenoid products, the hardware, firmware, and HMI are developed in the context of the whole system, so the electronics do exactly what the mechanical and controls design requires.
Tools & methods
- Schematic capture and multi-layer PCB layout
- Microcontroller and processor selection
- Real-time / embedded firmware development in C/C++
- Motor, solenoid, and actuator drive electronics
- Communication interfaces (serial, USB, Ethernet, industrial buses)
- HMI and touchscreen interface development
What you receive
- Schematics and PCB design files
- Prototype and production-ready boards
- Real-time firmware and source code
- HMI / operator interface software
- Test, bring-up, and validation results
- Documentation and manufacturing support
A typical engagement
Embedded engagements range from a single board and its firmware to the complete electronics behind a machine or product. We work from requirements through hardware and firmware design, prototyping, and validation, and support the transition to production — standalone or as the control core of a larger Cerebrus system.
FAQ
Embedded Systems: frequently asked questions
Do you design both the hardware and the firmware?
Yes. We design the custom PCB hardware and develop the real-time firmware that runs on it as one effort. Designing them together is what makes an embedded system reliable, responsive, and efficient, rather than compromising by fitting software to an ill-suited stock board.
What kinds of products use your embedded systems?
Our embedded systems typically control automation equipment, custom machinery, robotics, and electromechanical devices — anything that needs dedicated electronics for motion, sensing, actuation, communication, and an operator interface. They are also developed for standalone connected products.
Can you develop the operator interface (HMI) too?
We do. We develop the operator interface — from simple panel controls and displays to touchscreen HMIs — with clear status, control, alarm, and diagnostic screens so equipment is easy to run and troubleshoot.
Is your firmware suitable for real-time, timing-critical control?
Yes. We structure firmware to meet real-time deadlines deterministically, which is essential for motion control, process control, and safety logic where timing directly affects performance and safety.
Can you take an embedded design into volume production?
We design hardware for manufacturability from the start and support the transition to production, including bring-up, validation, and documentation, so the design moves from prototype to volume manufacture smoothly.
Have a project in mind?
Tell us what you're trying to build or automate. We'll help you scope it and recommend the right approach.