Embedded Design

Areas of Expertise

Communication interfaces

  • Radio: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, GPS.
  • Network interfaces: Ethernet, GSM/LTE.
  • Computer interfaces: USB, Mini PCIe, M.2 (NGFF).
  • Serial interfaces: RS422/485, RS232, UART.

Embedded Linux

  • System on Module integration, e.g. i.MX Raspberry Pi Compute Module.
  • Single Board Computer shields for e.g. BeagleBone Black.
  • Buildroot configurations and custom packages.
  • Linux Kernel ports and custom device drivers.
  • U-Boot ports and custom device drivers.
  • Real time Linux (PREEMPT_RT).

Microcontroller systems

  • Firmware development for STM32, ESP32, nRF5, 8051, ATmega, and others.
  • Firmware security: Secure Boot, Readout Protection, hardware cryptography.
  • Over-the-air firmware updates.

Prototyping

  • Manual PCB assembly – down to 0201/QFN/BGA.
  • 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC machining.
  • Quick turnaround electronics prototyping and verification.

Manufacturing

  • Complete manufacturing documentation including: BOMs with full part numbers and ordering codes, Gerber/drill files, position files, BoardView, 3D renders, fabrication view PDFs, and more.
  • Small-scale, short series manufacturing.
  • Contract PCB assembly at external EMS.

EMC Testing

  • Conducted emissions (CISPR 22).
  • Radiated emissions (EN 55032).
  • ESD immunity (ISO/IEC 61000-4-2).
  • Surge and burst immunity (ISO/IEC 61400-4-4, 61000-4-5).
  • Testing in collaboration with an external lab.

Specializations

01
Internet of Things

My favorite type of device to design: small, with a variety of communication interfaces, often with tight thermal and power budgets, with a simple but effective user interface.

02
Low-Power, Battery Powered

Energy budgets, battery chargers, multiple power domains. Low power profiling and optimization. Unusual battery chemistries. Wireless charging.

03
Multi-Board Devices

Systems spanning multiple PCBs, often connected with FFC cables and board-to-board connectors. Flexible PCBs. Unusual board shapes. Full cooperation with mechanical engineers.

04
Design For Manufacturability

Comprehensive manufacturing documentation. Factory programming  and testing software. “Bed-of-nails” test fixtures.

Project Portfolio

Laser Rangefinder for Wrocław University of Technology

Wearable time-of-flight data logger measuring vision conditions - for use with eyeglasses. Based on ST VL53L4CX + STM32L0 MCU. Extremely small - BGA & 0201 parts, six-layer PCB. Lithium-titanate battery - puncture-safe, full charge in just 3 minutes. USB communication with Mass Storage emulation for ease of use. Project scope: hardware + firmware.

View Project

Skin Scanner for Beauty of Science

High-tech skin scanner camera. Linux-powered, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, TFT display, and wireless charging. Multi-board project - all board connections are FFC/FPC. Project scope: hardware, firmware, Linux platform, device drivers, Linux application.

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HMI Panel Controller for NextLabs

Multimedia controller for the non-critical parts of a cryo chamber. Built around a Raspberry Pi Compute Module, it features HDMI video output, audio input/output path with a class D stereo amplifier, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, and a GSM+GPS module onboard. Power is regulated with a four-phase, sequenced DC/DC converter. Project scope: hardware.

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Air Quality Sensor for Lekkosense

Wearable, portable air pollution sensor. Built around a custom laser detector, it measures PM1/2.5/10 and VOC. Measurements are displayed on a miniature OLED display and also transmitted over Bluetooth Low Energy. The built-in battery is charged over USB-C. Project scope: hardware.

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IoT Prototypes for Blebox

Hardware design: 18 new designs, 14 product revisions, 4 test jigs. My main responsibility was rapid development of new products. with turnaround time from idea to prototype manufacturing as low as 8 hours.

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GPS Tracker Firmware for Cloud Your Car

Tracker firmware, including communication stacks (GSM, GPS), NOR Flash data storage (RingFS), BSP for NuttX, energy and thermal management, IMU-based driving style analysis, over-the-air firmware updates.

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Alarm Control Unit for Monitech

Linux-based alarm control unit with a wide variety of communication interfaces: Ethernet, GSM, RS485, RS232, PSTN (phone line). Scope of the project: hardware design (EAGLE), custom Linux distribution (Debian-based), custom kernel drivers (ADC, PWM audio), U-Boot port, STM32F103 real-time and DSP firmware.

View Project