Hazard Alert Radio Engineering Case Study
Product: Hazard Alert Radio
Problem:
Customer came to manufacture 7000 Radios of a design that was “ready to go.” The only snag was that the unit had not yet passed FCC. Southeastern Region contacted Engineering to see if we could help.
Original Customer Design:
Four cards with mixed technology
One of the boards had through hole components on both sides
One of the boards had some component values change based on manufacturing tests, so there was a multi step manufacturing process
During initial product analysis we discovered that the product would not perform all of the functions specified
The only way the unit could be made to pass FCC was by coating the case
Engineering Redesign:
A single board replaced the four cards
The only components not on the top side are through hole parts that could not be moved due to mechanical case restrictions
Provided full functionality
What Was Done:
New RF and digital design
Combined all circuitry on a single card reducing manufacturing cost
Modified original case to accept required power supply connection
Selected new vendor for power module to reduce cost
Result:
The redesigned product can be manufactured
Customer has awarded the first follow on design to SCI. Manufacturing for this product is estimated at 80,000 radios
Two additional design and manufacturing opportunities have been awarded to SCI
Prototypes have been delivered and the Customer’s customer has responded favorably to the signal quality and reception at remote sites.
Original design consisted of mixed technologies, RF cans, 4 boards