The expertise and capabilities held within the Embedded Computing Technology Centre allow us to do the hard work for you, providing complete end-to-end support for embedded computing solutions.
Embedded Computing Technology Centre
Embedded computing platforms, modules, and custom system design supported by expert engineering
With over 30 years of expertise in the embedded computing market, the Embedded Technology Centre is Acal BFi’s dedicated hub for embedded computing expertise, supporting the design, integration, and lifecycle management of embedded systems across industrial, medical, transportation, and specialist applications.
Whether you are selecting an off-the-shelf embedded module, adapting a standard computing platform, or developing a semi-custom or fully bespoke embedded system, our engineers work as an extension of your team. From early architecture definition and design-in through validation, certification, and long-term supply, we help reduce complexity, technical risk, and time to market.
By combining deep embedded engineering knowledge with access to a broad portfolio of processors, modules, and platforms, the Embedded Technology Centre enables robust, scalable, and future-ready computing solutions tailored to real-world operating environments.
Part of the Technology Network
Each Technology Centre is part of Acal BFI’s wider Technology Network, giving you access to a collaborative team of specialist engineers across multiple disciplines. This connected approach allows us to support larger, more complex projects that span multiple technologies – from embedded computing and wireless to power, sensing, photonics, and imaging. By bringing expertise together across our centres, we help reduce design risk, simplify integration, and deliver complete, production-ready solutions through a single, trusted engineering partner.
What we do at the Embedded Computing Technology Centre?
The Embedded Computing Technology Centre focuses on delivering embedded computing solutions that balance performance, power, longevity, and reliability. With extensive experience across specialist architectures, our engineers support projects ranging from simple controller-based designs to complex, high-performance embedded systems.
We help you navigate the challenges of processor selection, operating systems, thermal constraints, mechanical integration, and long-term availability – ensuring your embedded platform is optimised for both current and future requirements.
In practice, we help you to:
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Select and optimise embedded platforms — including architecture, processor, operating system, and power and thermal performance
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Design robust embedded systems — compact, rugged, fanless, and suitable for harsh or demanding environments
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Accelerate development using standard components, proven platforms, reference designs, and system integration support
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Deliver custom solutions — from semi-custom adaptations to fully bespoke embedded designs
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Support the full lifecycle — including prototyping, testing, certification, long-term availability, and obsolescence management
Our technical capabilities
Complete end-to-end embedded computing solution support
The Embedded Technology Centre provides a comprehensive set of engineering services covering embedded hardware, software, and system integration.
From standard platforms to fully custom designs – comprehensive embedded support
Embedded designs rarely follow a one-size-fits-all approach. The Embedded Computing Technology Centre provides flexible support, whether you are deploying an off-the-shelf platform, adapting a proven design, or developing a fully custom embedded system.
Collaborative expertise across Acal BFI Technology Centres
Embedded computing rarely stands alone. The Embedded Technology Centre works closely with our other Technology Centres to deliver fully integrated system solutions. When your project requires additional specialist support, we collaborate with teams from Wireless & IoT, Power Supply, Magnetic Products, and Sensor & Imaging Centres to provide a seamless, multidisciplinary approach. By combining expertise across embedded platforms, power management, connectivity, sensing, and more, we create tailored solutions that address the complex, evolving challenges of modern electronic design.
Why work with the Embedded Computing Technology Centre?
Designed to support engineers and technical decision-makers at every stage of embedded system development, offering:
- Access to a wide range of embedded computing architectures and platforms
- Engineering-led support from concept through production
- Reduced development risk and faster design-in
- Long-term lifecycle and obsolescence management
- System-level thinking aligned to real-world applications
- A collaborative partner, not just a component supplier
Why Acal BFi? Your partner for embedded computing solutions
With decades of experience supporting embedded and industrial system design, Acal BFi combines technical expertise with a broad supplier ecosystem to deliver robust, application-matched embedded computing solutions. We provide:
- Hands-on engineering consultation
- Platform and architecture selection
- Design reviews and integration support
- Semi-custom and custom embedded solutions
- Long-term supply and lifecycle management
Supported by centralised logistics and a pan-European engineering network, we help ensure reliable supply, technical continuity, and confidence throughout your product’s lifecycle.
Yes. We work with a wide range of standard embedded modules, SBCs, and compute platforms, as well as offering semi-custom and fully custom embedded solutions where standard products don’t meet performance, form-factor, or longevity requirements.
Absolutely. Our engineers help you evaluate processor architectures, operating systems, and platform options based on performance, power consumption, thermal behaviour, software support, and long-term availability — ensuring the platform fits both current and future needs.
You should consider a custom embedded solution when your project requirements can’t be fully met by standard off-the-shelf platforms. This includes situations where you need a specific form factor, unique performance characteristics, specialised interfaces, enhanced reliability for harsh environments, or extended product lifecycles that standard products don’t support. Custom solutions also make sense if you’re integrating multiple technologies in a tightly constrained space or need to optimise power consumption and thermal management beyond typical platforms. Essentially, if your design demands tailored hardware or software to meet critical technical, mechanical, or lifecycle needs, a custom embedded solution is the right choice.
We specialise in tackling complex design challenges like processor-platform mismatches, thermal and power constraints, mechanical integration in tight spaces, and ruggedising systems for harsh environments — helping you create reliable, optimised embedded solutions.
Yes. Our engineers have deep experience in integrating diverse hardware and software components, ensuring smooth interoperability and performance across complex embedded platforms tailored to your unique application.
We offer in-house prototyping, integration, and testing services designed to validate complex embedded designs early, reduce risk, and speed up the development cycle — ensuring your solution meets real-world performance and certification standards.
When off-the-shelf solutions don’t fit your needs, we develop semi-custom or fully custom embedded systems — adapting platforms or designing new ones from the ground up to meet specific size, performance, reliability, and lifecycle requirements.