The first assembled board is the moment of truth. Bring-up is the careful process of turning it on, finding what does not work yet and making it behave as specified. We take prototypes from the manufacturer's box to a board that works, and we make the process predictable.
What we do
- Organise prototype manufacturing and assembly, or work with the manufacturer you already use.
- Plan and carry out the first power-up, with current-limited supplies and rail-by-rail checks.
- Verify clocks, resets, memories and communication buses step by step.
- Debug hardware and firmware together, which is much faster than treating them as separate problems.
- Document findings and carry them into the next design revision.
A structured bring-up
Before the board arrives we prepare a bring-up plan: the order in which each part of the circuit will be checked, the expected voltages and signals, and the test points needed. This turns the first power-up into a controlled measurement, not a gamble, and it protects expensive prototypes from avoidable damage.
When something does not work, we locate the cause with measurements, not guesses. Bring-up problems are often a mix of hardware and firmware issues, and having both competences in one team shortens the loop.
Iterating to the specification
Rarely is the first revision the last. We group the findings, decide which changes are necessary and which can wait, and prepare the next revision so that each iteration moves clearly closer to the specification. For small series we also help set up a repeatable process.
What you receive
- Working, tested prototypes.
- A bring-up report with measurements, findings and open points.
- A list of changes for the next board revision.
- Updated schematics, layout and firmware reflecting the changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring up a board someone else designed?
Yes. We can start by reviewing the design, and often we find issues before the first power-up. See design review and rescue.
How many prototype iterations should I expect?
It depends on the complexity and the novelty of the design. Careful design reviews before manufacturing reduce the number of iterations. Our blog has a checklist to run before your first batch.