We cover a broad range of capabilities including those listed below.


Digital Signal Processing

Algorithm Development - Most new developments include or encounter new problems to solve. Extensive experience in Signal Processing and algorithm development provides the means for obtaining efficient solutions within the constraints of the system. See our publications list and blog articles for more information and examples.

Filter Design - Often the performance of a communication system or other signal processing task depends heavily on the suitability of the filters used in the design. Filter designs can sometimes make or break a system, and good design techniques are necessary to make a critical filter effective and efficient. Even though multipliers are plentiful in modern FPGAs, there are times when multiplierless designs are needed. We have extensive experience and have developed proprietary design techniques that produce efficient, high-performance filters. Our proprietary methodology for designing Canonic-Signed Digit filter implementations has repeatedly proven effective in providing high-performance filters with low, multiplierless, implementation complexity.

Frequency Estimation and Frequency Domain processing - Many signal processing tasks can be performed more efficiently in the frequency domain under the right conditions and circumstances. How efficiently the frequency transformations can be performed for a given task can make or break the practicality of a computation or feature. We have experience using a variety of techniques for frequency domain analysis and frequency estimation that can be applied to wide range of problems.


Digital Communications

Channel Model Research and Simulation - The most successful communication systems are designed to perform in the types of channels that they will most likely encounter. Satellite Modems and fixed microwave links do not encounter the same channel impairments as Mobile Handsets. Understanding the propagation channel and proper modelling are the foundation of the development of a new communication technology.

System Specification and Architecture - Maximizing system performance requires careful attention to architectural considerations that affect characteristics such as achievable dynamic range, adjacent channel rejection, interference tolerance, fast and robust synchronization, and data reliability. Many of these capabilities are best addressed early in a project where good top-level specifications can enable a practical and efficient implementation.

System Simulation - Accurate and reliable simulation of critical aspects of a system can save substantial time and expense by shortening the development cycle. In some cases full system simulation is appropriate. Determining how much simulation is appropriate can also be important in order to maximize parallel resource use during development. Properly planning and executing a simulaton strategy can be critical to the success of a project. Matlab (Octave), C, and MathCAD are our most-used tools and we have also used SPW and other platforms successfully.

Signal Synchronization - Fast and efficient synchronization of symbol timing, frequency, and phase is the basis of what makes a demodulator work. For burst or continuous-stream signals we know what it takes to acquire and synchronize signals in harsh environments. Determining the expected channel environment and developing synchronization and equalization strategies to fit that environment results in a highly reliable communication system.

Forward Error Correction - A key ingredient to data reliability is Forward Error Correction. Choosing and applying the appropriate FEC for a given application requires a deep understanding of how FEC systems work and their various strengths and weaknesses. From simple Hamming codes through Turbo Codes or LDPCs, properly integrating the best FEC for a system in its expected channel conditions can be an involved task that can have a significant impact on system performance.

Implementation Specification and Development - Once the architecture and algorithms have been worked out, somebody has to build it. Inadequate specifications or communication between the system developers and architects can waste time and money and often results in poor performance by failing to leverage the lessons learned in the system engineering and simulation process.

Implementation or Implementation Management - If we can't build it, we can help manage whoever is building it to make sure it's done right, meets specification, and integrates well into the final platform.

System Verification - Discovering the inevitable bugs in systems through customer feedback can be expensive and damaging to you and your customer. On the other hand, spending eons in the lab testing every possible configuration in every possible channel condition is not practical. Achieving high confidence in system integrity requires thorough but efficient verification. The best verification plans start during initial system specification, but when that's not possible verification can often still achieve high confidence in system integrity with careful attention to verification strategy and test designs.


Industry Engagement and Intellectual Property

Representation in Standards Bodies - Having your technology included in a standard or having an early understanding of a standard to reduce time to market can be beneficial to a technology company. Leverage our extensive experience working in IEEE 802 standards development or other bodies like 3GPP, ETSI, DVB or others.

Technical Due Diligence for Capital Investment - Gaining a deep understanding of a new technology or system in a short period of time can be crucial in a capital investment environment. Evaluation of a technology's capabilities, a company's intellectual property, how a technology fits in a market, and even the talent level of an engineering team can be critical to the decision making process for capital investment. With extensive experience in due diligence evaluation of technologies such as smart antennas, networking, mesh systems, multiple access, FEC, RFID and many other areas of wired and wireless communications, we can provide the technical due diligence necessary for confident investment decision making.

Intellectual Property Development - With a personal portfolio of 25 granted patents. and many years of service on a patent committee for a large corporation, I understand the process and what is required to formalize protection of your intellectual property. Sometimes just determining what should or should not be patented is a question, and decisions regarding trade secrets, patents, or publication can be difficult. I can help with various aspects of developing Intellectual Property including strategies for managing a portfolio. I am not a Patent Attorney or Patent Agent, but I can recommend some that I've worked with if needed.



Training

There is often a need within an existing organization to expand a skill-set or area of expertise. Anchor Hill can provide your team or organization with the training needed to be able to better understand, manage or execute projects containing Signal Processing or Digital Communication elements.

We can tailor training for specific needs whether it be helping management understand technology areas and industry standards or providing implementers insight into how to get the product performance that they need. Anchor Hill can help you and your team execute more successfully when it comes to integrating Digital Communication functions into your products.

More information on Training is available here.

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