Title
Recording and Analysis of Environmental Data
Microcontroller reduces manufacturing costs by 22% and time by 50%
Technologies used

Microprocessor

Industrial sector (PRODCOM code)
    332 Instruments & Appliances for measuring, checking, testing
Abstract
Environmental Measurements Ltd (EML), based in Sunderland, England since 1985, designs, manufactures and sells weather monitoring instrumentation. EML employ 5 staff, one of who is an electrical engineer and have an annual turnover of 450KEUR per annum. The company has experience and expertise in the circuit design, development and manufacture of electronic and mechanical meteorological monitoring systems, which it currently supplies to more than 30 countries worldwide. The customers are a variety of end users and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). The industrial sector is Instruments & Appliances for measuring, checking, testing etc, (prodcom 3320 - in the classification system widely used in the EU). The company's electronics experience before the project was in analogue and basic digital PCB design. The FUSE programme has allowed EML with a total cost of 69.85kEUR and a 11.5 month period (1st April 1998 to 18th March 1999) to acquire significant new technical knowledge and design expertise in microprocessor technology, which it has successfully applied to a new multi-channel analytical recording system named DATATREC. The main objectives were to increase sales turnover, reduce costs, while improving the product functionality. The DATATREC will replace, during September 1999, the existing WINLOG data logger used on the company's portable modular weather station. The existing product (WINLOG) logs rainfall, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, temperature and humidity. The product is used by universities, agricultural/horticultural establishments, water/river authorities, weather centres, local authorities for the collection and analysis of meteorological data. The new product (DATATREC) is suitable for data collection purposes throughout the environmental industry, thus opening up new markets and opportunities. The DATATREC has the following advantages over the existing product:
Designed in-house (FU serviceable) with more inputs for more sensors, giving a greater variety of applications. Reduction in manufacturing costs by 22% and time by 50%. q Easily reprogrammed by the user.
Logging time extended. q Old product contains discontinued components.
Programmed with a full self-test and self re-calibration for remote locations.
Two PCB's instead of the original Three boards.
Telemetry capabilities - Modem facility.
EML made use of microcontroller technologies to develop a new range of loggers for future products. The company has gained great experience in the attention to detail and the importance of quality throughout the design and manufacturing process, especially when dealing with sensitive digital devices and PCB design checking. The payback period will be 24 months with a return on investment of 475% over the anticipated 5 years life of the product.
Company
Environmental Measurements Ltd
Business & Innovation Centre
Sunderland Enterprise Park (East)
Sunderland SR5 2TA
Detailed information
You can also benefit from microelectronics

Microprocessor technology provided Environmental Measurements Ltd with the means of improving its products and enhancing its market position. You can also achieve significant benefits by acquiring the right microelectronics technology and utilising it in your product or manufacturing process. You can get help from FUSE to realise this.

FUSE is a technology transfer programme, funded by the European Commission to stimulate the wider use of microelectronics technologies by European enterprises to increase their competitiveness and enhance their economic growth. The demonstrator described here is one of many examples in the public FUSE portfolio covering the whole spectrum of microelectronics technologies and spanning a wide range of applications and industry sectors.

FUSE provides you with:

  • Best practice in acquiring specific microelectronics technologies and conducting full development projects through the FUSE portfolio of real life demonstrator documents.
  • Local training and expert support to plan your innovation realistically and help you conduct your project successfully.

Further information and support relating to this and other demonstrators can be obtained from the addresses below.
Further information   Guiding Technology Transfer Node
For further information and support regarding this case study, please contact a Technology Transfer Node (TTN) in your region.
Homepage: http://www.fuse-network.com
Bolton Institute of Higher Education
Technology Development Unit
Deane Road
BL3 5AB Bolton
United Kingdom