Handheld Computer Design - Portable Instrumentation Design

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Portable Instrumentation Design

Instrumentation Design � An Overview History

Historically, the only way to produce a new device was to design it from scratch. Complex instrumentation was created using proprietary hardware, battery solutions, plastic enclosure, and even software/ operating systems. The end result was a device fit for a dedicated purpose, but with little or no connectivity to the PC world. Costs to design, develop and manufacture were therefore high. And since they were typically servicing a niche market, end user pricing was also pushed upwards.

As the Windows environment and PC's proliferated, a new way of satisfying instrumentation requirements emerged. Instrumentation users demanded more cross platform connectivity, so many began to combine emerging PC Card technologies with a laptop, to deliver the functionality they required in a portable form factor.

Unfortunately, neither option satisfies both the cost and performance/ fit for purpose requirements of today's instrumentation marketplace.

The emergence of Windows CE and dedicated portable processing technologies brought with them a range of commercial and industrial hand computing devices that enabled software developers working on an open platform to create a wide range of solutions for portable applications.

However, for the user with a dedicated instrumentation requirement, software alone cannot provide the complete solution. The requirement to provide custom hardware, as well as application specific software, is an area hand-held computers cannot satisfy. In effect, manufacturers of hand held computers would need to create a new design for each instrumentation project � catering for different electronic, power, and comms requirements.

This is where SKF CMC Livingston can help. As an instrumentation design and development company we can apply specialist leading edge portable technologies, designed specifically for the flexible design of powerful and portable instrumentation solutions.

By using our proven technology building blocks, we can ensure that common issues such as battery life, processing capability, high display visibility display, wireless comms, and cross platform PC connectivity are all taken care of.

For our customers, this means rapid access to fully functioning prototype devices, reduced time to market, reduced risk, and reduced costs.

Portable Instrumentation Design.

SKF Condition Monitoring Centre ( Livingston ) Ltd has been designing portable instrumentation since 1987. During this time we have produced a wide range of specialist devices, primarily for the collection and analysis of vibration.

SKF CMC Livingston is the world leader in the design and manufacture of hand held vibration data collectors for the Condition Monitoring market, supplying the leading OEM's with product.

Our experience and knowledge, acquired through years or portable instrumentation design, has enabled us to develop and refine our approach to creating new devices. The end result is a unique new service from SKF, which is now available to you.