Case Study: Electronics / Firmware Design and Manufacture of Marine Monitoring Equipment.
Developing a Scalable, High-Performance Monitoring Platform for a New Market
RVL worked closely with Rivertrace to develop Smart ESM, a new product designed to operate in an emerging market space within marine environmental compliance.
From the outset, the project required the definition of a complete and robust requirements specification for a product that combined multiple advanced measurement techniques. Working collaboratively, RVL and Rivertrace established a clear technical roadmap that balanced innovation, reliability, and regulatory demands.
System Architecture and Platform Reuse
The Smart ESM system was built upon an existing modular platform previously designed by RVL. Building on this foundation the proven platform was extended to meet the new application requirements through:
- The design of a new I/O control PCBA
- Development of firmware and control electronics for the main unit
- Creation of a rich, touch-screen user interface tailored for onboard operation
- Integration of a Linux-based backend, using RVL’s in-house distribution built with the Yocto Project
By reusing and extending a common platform, Rivertrace was able to significantly reduce development risk, control costs, and accelerate time to market while maintaining high performance and flexibility across multiple product lines.
Software and Embedded Linux Expertise
RVL delivered the complete software stack for the Smart ESM control and interface subsystem. This included low-level firmware, embedded Linux configuration, and application-level software supporting an intuitive graphical user interface.
Critically, the use of a custom Yocto-based Linux distribution provided Rivertrace with a stable, secure, and maintainable backend capable of supporting long product lifecycles in demanding marine environments.
Collaborative Development
Throughout the project a clear division of responsibilities allowed both teams to focus on their areas of expertise. RVL took ownership of the electronics, firmware, and software development for the main control and interface subsystems, freeing Rivertrace to concentrate on the specialist measurement technologies and mechanical design elements unique to the Smart ESM system.
The project was delivered to a highly aggressive schedule, supported by regular technical meetings and site visits. To meet these demands, close collaboration and transparent communication ensured rapid decision-making and smooth integration throughout the development cycle.
Ongoing Manufacturing Support
RVL continues to manufacture the PCBAs for the Smart ESM platform, providing Rivertrace with continuity of supply, design knowledge retention, and long-term production support.
Outcome
As a result, by adopting a shared platform approach and working in close partnership with RVL, Rivertrace now benefits from a scalable hardware and software architecture that can be deployed across multiple high-performance products. Consequently, this approach has reduced development costs, improved time to market, and created a robust foundation for future innovation.
