Marine Telematics System
A marine telematics system with strong market potential ran into performance issues during real-world testing and needed an engineering redesign.
The client had invested significant development effort into a marine telematics system designed to remotely track, monitor, and control boats. Real-world testing revealed it wasn't ready because connectivity was inconsistent, GPS data was frequently inaccurate or missing, and power consumption was running well above acceptable limits. With limited time and budget remaining, a ground-up redesign wasn't an option.
What the client needed was a disciplined outside team to diagnose the root causes, stabilize the existing design, and get the product to a deployable state, all without losing what they'd already built.
The Solution
Device Solutions began with a full system-level review. The team examined the hardware architecture, firmware interaction, and signal performance together rather than in isolation. Working within the original component selections, Device Solutions identified the root causes of each failure mode and executed targeted fixes:
1.) RF Noise Reduction
Identified and eliminated interference sources degrading signal performance, restoring consistent connectivity across operating conditions.
2.) GPS Reconfiguration
Rebuilt GPS behavioral logic through targeted firmware updates, moving the system from intermittent fixes to reliable positional accuracy.
3.) System Architecture Repartitioning
Restructured the workload distribution between the Real Time Processor and the Linux-based system, resolving the power overruns and improving overall stability.
The result was a stabilized, field-ready design that was achieved without discarding the development investment the client had already made.
The Results
The client launched their marine telematics product on schedule, with a design that had been stabilized, documented, and field-validated without a ground-up rebuild. The fixes Device Solutions delivered addressed each of the three failure modes that had put the launch at risk:
Connectivity issues resolved through RF noise elimination, restoring reliable cellular performance across operating conditions
GPS accuracy restored through firmware reconfiguration, moving from intermittent and missing fixes to consistent positional data
Power consumption brought within acceptable limits through system architecture repartitioning
The client retained their existing hardware investment and crossed the finish line with a product they could stand behind.
The Summary
Technologies & Services
Cellular Connectivity
GPS & Positional Systems
RF Systems & Hardware Optimization
Firmware Development
System Architecture & Real Time Processing
Verification Engineering
Recognition & Outcomes
Product launched on schedule
All three critical failure modes resolved without hardware redesign
Existing development investment preserved