Engagement Models
We offer a variety of engagement models, including full turnkey systems, subsystem development, and co-development with our customer team.
Overview
Diffraction Limited works with customers in a range of engagement models, from early-stage concept development through to full production systems.
We tailor our approach based on project scope, technical requirements, and internal resources—whether you need a complete system or support for a specific subsystem.
How We Work
Our projects follow a structured development process designed to reduce risk and ensure predictable outcomes.
Typical Project Flow
- Requirements Definition
Define performance targets, environmental conditions, interfaces, and constraints - System Architecture & Feasibility
Evaluate sensor options, thermal approach, and system-level tradeoffs - Design & Prototype Development
Develop electronics, firmware, and mechanical systems for evaluation - Validation & Optimization
Verify performance, refine design, and address edge cases - Production & Support
Transition to manufacturing with ongoing technical support
We can engage at any stage of this process.
Engagement Options
Turnkey System Development
Complete development of a custom imaging system from concept through production.
Includes:
- System architecture and design
- Hardware, firmware, and mechanical development
- Prototyping and validation
- Preparation for manufacturing
Best suited for:
Customers seeking a fully developed, production-ready solution.
Platform Customization
Modification of existing camera platforms to meet specific requirements.
Typical adaptations:
- Sensor selection or changes
- Interface modifications (USB, Ethernet, etc.)
- Firmware customization
- Mechanical or environmental adjustments
Benefits:
- Reduced development time
- Lower technical risk
- Proven performance baseline
Subsystem Development
Focused development of specific components within a larger system.
Examples:
- Sensor interface electronics
- Thermal management systems
- FPGA data acquisition pipelines
- Embedded control systems
Best suited for:
Customers with internal system architecture who need specialized expertise.
Co-Development
Collaboration with customer engineering teams to solve specific technical challenges.
We can contribute to:
- System architecture and design reviews
- Performance optimization
- Prototype development
- Debugging and validation
Best suited for:
Teams that want to retain control while leveraging our domain expertise.
What We Deliver
Depending on the engagement model, deliverables may include:
- Fully assembled hardware systems
- Firmware and control software
- Design documentation and interface specifications
- Test data and performance validation
- Support for manufacturing and integration
Our goal is to provide solutions that are not only functional, but reliable and manufacturable.
Managing Technical Risk
Imaging systems often involve tradeoffs between noise, thermal performance, data rate, and system complexity.
We reduce risk by:
- Leveraging proven architectures where possible
- Identifying critical design constraints early
- Validating performance through prototyping
- Applying system-level optimization across all domains
This approach helps avoid late-stage redesigns and improves time to deployment.
Flexible Engagement
Projects vary widely in scope and complexity. We adapt our level of involvement to match your needs, whether that is:
- Early-stage feasibility work
- Targeted engineering support
- Full system development
Typical Timeline
For semi-customized imaging system designs, typical project timelines are as follows:
- Feasibility: 4–8 weeks
- Prototype: 3–4 months
- Production: 4–6 months
Discuss Your Project
If you are evaluating options for a custom imaging system or need support on a specific technical challenge, we can help.
What we need from you:
- Sensor or performance targets
- Environmental requirements
- Interface constraints
- Volume expectations
We routinely work under NDA and respect customer IP and confidentiality requirements.
Fill in the Contact Form below and tell us about your imaging challenges.
