Electronics
Peacock Technology has expertise in electronics design and PCB layout, from simple circuits through to complex multi-layer PCB’s.
We create custom electronic solutions, including bespoke time-of-flight and stereo vision cameras, wireless sensors, and custom PCB’s. We use Altium in-house and our IPC-certified associates can work with most other packages.
Our engineers have experience in the use of Design for Manufacture methodology and utilise techniques to minimise component and build costs, and maximise yield and throughput in volume production.
To reduce prototyping timeframes, we have solder reflow facilities in-house for small volume surface mount component placement.
Time of Flight Camera
Peacock Technology has a long history developing bespoke 3D imaging cameras using Time of Flight (TOF) chip sets. We first developed cameras using chip sets from TOF pioneer PMD Technologies at a time when off the shelf TOF cameras for Industrial Applications were not available.
More recently we have designed a camera around the Texas Instruments OPT8241 and using a Freescale imx6 for control. Using the imx6 we are able to embed full image processing applications on the board changing it from just a camera to an intelligent sensor.
Our camera has found a number of applications in AgTech industries, including robot milking machines and in measuring the size of pigs.
Cow Pedometer
As farm size increase, farmers can have difficulties monitoring livestock welfare. This can have significant financial implications if preventable diseases are not detected early. We provided a solution to our client by creating a wireless sensor system that could monitor animals and automatically detect certain diseases and welfare problems.
We designed and developed a robust low cost sensor tag to record livestock behaviours and wirelessly downloads recorded data to farm computers. This created a platform for our client to build on and automatically detect conditions of interest.
Peacock Technology led the client through prototype development and into volume manufacture. They now have the leading condition monitor system in its class, and have achieved global sales and recognition for the product, including a John Logie Baird award for innovation.
Embedded Microfluidic Control System
Our client was developing next generation livestock disease diagnosis using a complex microfluidic process. They needed a device to take to market.
We worked closely with out client to create a device using an embedded microcontroller system based on an STM32 driving a large array of actuators and motors through 12 channels of Texas Instruments H-bridge drives.
The system require accurate temperature, pressure and fluid level sensing. System level control was provided through an embedded USB interface and the software was designed in C.
Underwater Lighting
Our client, a world leader in products for Aquaculture, needed a high output, high efficiency underwater light for environment control in fish farms. The system needed a flexible user control and built-in intelligence to adjust to the environment and user profiles.
We developed a device using state of the art high power LEDs from Cree and ultra-compact dimming from ST Microelectronics.
The embedded system was based on an STM32 microcontroller with CANbus communications to allow long range multi-master, multidrop control.
Wind Turbine Control System
A new control system was required to replace an obsolete system in a Wind Turbine design. The solution had to ensure safe operation of the turbine and provide new features such as remote access and data logging.
Peacock Technology developed a replacement control system using an Omron PLC. This monitored the wind speed, wind direction and speed of blade rotation and used a PID loop to adjust the pitch of the turbine blades to keep the speed of rotation at optimal levels for electricity generation. Remote access was provided over GPRS enabling monitoring of the turbines and remote updates for new control versions.
Our client has since been able to retrofit the control system into the installed wind turbines and is rolling it across their Scottish network of wind farms. This is vital to improve sustainable production. If a human expert is able to see a problem then we can train our algorithms to see it too.