Measuring the temperature inside a rocket engine’s exhaust requires advanced sensors and complex circuitry. A research team recently acquired by one of the world’s largest brands had developed a method using infrared sensors and custom electronics. However, the new acquisition brought deadlines to finish things in time for upcoming rocket launches. Lacking sufficient in-house EE design resources to meet these new deadlines, the team turned to Henway for assistance.
During onboarding meetings, they explained their need for a circuit board with nine low-level analog input channels with high gain amplifiers, various 24V general-purpose inputs and outputs, thermocouple inputs, USB communication to custom PC software, and connectors for their proprietary sensors. The scientists also required PC software capabilities to start/stop tests, log data, run algorithms, graph results, and toggle GPIOs easily.
Henway advised the timeline is the best place to start on a project like this. The first thing to do is evaluate each feature along the critical path and then work backward to create an SOW, a project requirements document (PRD), and a roadmap.
After helping the customer visualize and get approval on the plan ahead, we got to work on the hardware spec document, schematic, PCB layout, PCB production, firmware, and software – our entire service package!
Attached is a picture of their PCB prototype. By partnering with Henway, the research team successfully avoided a failure to launch. Everyone was pleased with the behavior of the electronics, and we’re eagerly awaiting our next assignment. If you need advanced custom electronics, contact us.