What Is Involved in the Electronic Product Development Process?
Key Takeaways
-
The electronic product development process covers the critical requirements of the electronic market and makes a product saleable.
-
Any electronic product development process includes three stages: design, development, and production.
-
The electronic product development process can be bifurcated broadly into ideation to prototype and prototype to mass production.
Apart from solid and reliable technical aspects, products need to look nice to be marketable. Think of your electric oven, television, or mobile phone – they have all been molded into a presentable form. To release a marketable product, it is important to follow the electronic product development process, which covers the critical requirements of the electronic market and makes the product saleable. Let’s dive into the ins and outs of the electronic product development process.
Defining Electronic Products
According to the electronic code of federal regulations, an electronic product is defined as any assembled or manufactured product that, under operating conditions, acts as part of an electronic circuit and emits electronic product radiation – if no effective shielding or other controls are provided. The electronic product or item that is described above can be used as a component, part, or accessory of a product, and may emit radiation during operation. Such electronic assembly can also be regarded as an electronic product. Some examples of electronic products are mobile phones, wearables, computers, speakers, tablets, laptops, printers, scanners, and all other consumer electronics.
Steps Before the Electronic Product Development Process
Any electronic hardware development process follows several steps to come up with a finished product. Prior to the electronic product development process, there are certain activities that make product development worthy.
Market analysis, feedback collection, and patenting of an idea are a few of the activities that must happen before beginning the electronic product development process.
Step one: Conduct research to confirm the market for the product and identify competitors. If potential competitors are there, plan on how to make your product competitive. Having competitors is not necessarily bad; it is an indication that the market has a demand for the product.
Step two: Get validation for the product idea from potential end-users. The feedback collected from such unbiased customers and retailers can help improve product functionalities and quality.
Step three: Patenting is optional but important for those who prefer protecting their idea from others.
After completing these three steps, you are ready to move to the electronic product development stage.
The Electronic Product Development Process in a Nutshell
Any electronic product development process includes three broad stages:
1) Design
2) Development
3) Production
The electronic product development process can be bifurcated broadly into ideation to prototype and prototype to mass production. The ideation to prototype process covers the design and development of the prototype. Once the prototype is successfully operating and meets all the system requirements, it can be approved for mass production.
-
Design Stage
The design stage includes the processes of market research, proof of concept, and modeling.
Market research includes the problem research and solution research stages. In problem research, customers are approached to identify problems or product gaps. In solution research, customers are contacted with mock-ups to identify the functionalities and features they are looking for. Before prototyping, the minimum viable product (MVP) is defined with its specifications and features.
The design phase commences with a proof of concept prototype. After receiving the preview of the product concept from the early prototype, 2D and 3D models of the product are developed to add the feel of a market product.
-
Development Stage
The PCB is designed according to the 3D model, keeping in mind the realistic size, proper functionality, and cost-efficiency. The design is then tested and validated. The testing and validation stage in the electronic product development process includes three stages of validation and testing: engineering, design, and production.
-
Engineering validation testing (EVT) - The discrete component level functionalities are ensured in this validation test.
-
Design validation testing (DVT) - The intended (independent) operation of various circuits in a system is ensured under this validation.
-
Production validation testing (PVT) - The functioning of the entire device as intended is ensured under this validation test. Once the device passes PVT, it can be released for production.
-
Production
Once validation and testing are complete, the cost for mass production is calculated. The product is manufactured in bulk, either in-house or by outsourcing to electronic manufacturing service providers.
The Electronic Product Development Process Is a Breeze With Cadence Tools
If you are designing a hardware electronics product, Cadence’s suite of design and analysis tools can help you with the electronic product development process. Cadence tools offer a full range of product lifecycle management functionalities that can help optimize your design and manufacturing processes.
Leading electronics providers rely on Cadence products to optimize power, space, and energy needs for a wide variety of market applications. If you’re looking to learn more about our innovative solutions, talk to our team of experts or subscribe to our YouTube channel.