01 / RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
An idea that needs technical evidence
A proposed system or capability depends on assumptions that need to be tested before committing to an implementation.
Approach. Compare candidate approaches, develop models, and build a focused prototype to evaluate the key assumptions against agreed criteria.
Possible outputs. Architecture trade studies, an executable model or prototype, experiment results, and recommendations for further development.
Explore this capability02 / SYSTEM DESIGN
A new sensor and processing system
A new application needs coordinated sensing, processing, communication, and system interfaces within its timing and resource constraints.
Approach. Define the architecture, model signal and data flows, develop processing algorithms, and implement the hardware/software interfaces for a prototype.
Possible outputs. System and interface definitions, processing software, prototype integration, and measurements against the design objectives.
Explore this capability03 / BRING-UP
A board that stops before the application starts
Startup depends on more than the boot image. Power, reset, clocks, memory, and runtime handoff all need a consistent explanation.
Approach. Establish a known baseline, inspect initialization against hardware behavior, and use targeted measurements to isolate the first failing transition.
Possible outputs. Bring-up scripts, a documented startup sequence, and repeatable checks for the affected behavior.
Explore this capability04 / INTEGRATION
A data path that crosses multiple subsystems
Link status alone does not establish a working data path. Drivers, DMA, memory ownership, interrupts, and protocol handling must work together.
Approach. Follow data end to end, identify interface assumptions, and exercise the system under relevant load and fault conditions.
Possible outputs. Interface documentation, integration changes, diagnostic tools, and scoped performance measurements.
Explore this capability05 / PRODUCT SECURITY
A device whose trust boundaries need review
Security decisions span hardware access, boot behavior, firmware, credentials, and connected interfaces.
Approach. Map entry points and trust boundaries, investigate specific weaknesses, and verify the behavior of proposed mitigations.
Possible outputs. Prioritized findings, reproduction procedures, implementation changes, and verification steps.
Explore this capability06 / VERIFICATION
A release that depends on one workstation
Unrecorded tool versions, manual steps, and inconsistent test setups make it difficult to reproduce or compare results.
Approach. Capture build inputs, automate packaging and regression execution, and retain the conditions and artifacts needed to explain a result.
Possible outputs. Version-controlled build configuration, test assets, release tooling, and handoff documentation.
Explore this capability