In the rapidly advancing realm of electronic development, Sasken Technologies stands at the forefront, boasting nearly three decades of experience in pioneering comprehensive tester systems and state-of-the-art camera lab capabilities. The commitment to excellence in R&D underpins the quality of the end products, establishing a benchmark for innovation and reliability in the industry. 

Sasken has a rich history that speaks volumes about expertise in the field. Starting from the 90s, the development of testing systems has been at Sasken’s core. 

“One of the significant milestones has been our collaboration with a Leading Mobile Device manufacturer during which we provided extensive support in testing for both software and devices. We had substantial testing teams to assist them through the development process of various phone models, from initial R&D to production in manufacturing plants across the globe,” Tero Pernu, Managing Director for Sasken Finland, recalls. 

Sasken realised the necessity of a robust platform. This comprehensive testing was and is a critical factor in renowned product quality for flagship customers. 

The journey led to the creation of the Sasken Tester Software Platform (STSP) – a multipurpose platform facilitating efficient and automated hardware design verification and product validation. This platform is a testament to Sasken's enduring collaboration with leading handset and chipset OEMs, reflecting a legacy of excellence in technology development and integration. 

“The STSP platform reduces time spent in the hardware design verification and product validation by enabling complex measurements with a high degree of automation. STSP is an off-the-shelf, ready-to-run software product that has been developed and refined over the last more than 20 years,” Pernu explains. 

Sasken's involvement in product development is comprehensive, encompassing the entire spectrum from board-level production testers to final assembled product testers. The portfolio includes specialised testers for complex RF parameter testing and other sensitive signalling tasks, such as coating conductivity and audio signalling. 

“Our delivery includes both tailor-made and commercially available equipment. Our involvement includes creating test cases during the R&D phase, executing these tests, and efficiently re-running them with any modifications. As products reach maturity for production, we provide testing solutions to ensure components and boards are correctly assembled and functional. Additionally, we can conduct various other tests, including environmental, drop, bend, twist, and hot pressurised water tests, to ensure, for instance, device durability, safety, and compliance with required standards,” Pernu continues. 

The world of electronics has infiltrated our everyday life – we can find all sorts of electronics, cameras, and audio equipment, from loudspeakers to microphones, around us, enabling the kind of modern life we are used to. 

The ubiquitous presence of electronics in today's world means the demand for rigorous testing services is greater than ever. Sasken's contributions to the industry are not limited to hardware but include software development capabilities, utilising flexible and effective programming languages like C, C#, and Python and platforms like NI LabVIEW and TestStand, providing the foundation for cutting-edge tester system development. 

Another crucial component of the offering is a state-of-the-art camera lab specialising in testing and tuning services. Achieving the perfect setup often requires multiple adjustments, which makes camera tuning a dynamic process. Customer expectations are high, even for lower-cost products or where the camera is not a key feature, and these expectations must be met. This can be tackled in the R&D phase. 

“We specialise in providing top-tier camera characterisation services to elevate the image quality of camera products to professional standards. It is an iterative process which involves image sensor processors based on test outcomes. We want to ensure that final products meet the highest quality standards,” Girish BVS, Chief Technology Officer at Sasken, says. 

Maximising a digital camera's performance hinges on the quality of raw images processed by an Image Signal Processor (ISP). It's crucial to fine-tune the ISP parameters tailored to match specific camera module types. This fine-tuning process is confirmed through thorough camera characterisation, encompassing a suite of colour accuracy, resolution, dynamic range, shading, and distortion analysis tests. 

“Currently, we're exploring how our testing capabilities can adapt to new developments, especially in camera and audio technology. Our role is not just about testing physical products but also ensuring the software within these products meets the necessary standards. Our strength is that we are a single point service provider for supporting camera sensor integration and focus on enabling the best camera experience,” Girish BVS notes. 

But the work doesn't stop there. 

“A bonus is that we have total ownership of productisation with services offering. We can also offer help in developing the product further, to the highest standard possible, helping our customers stand out from their competition – and this we have done before, with great success. One example comes to mind from a chipset manufacturer that had a camera sensor readout speed of 100 milliseconds, but the customer needed a real-time solution for the camera. We took the challenge and managed to squeeze it into 10 milliseconds which is quite an achievement,” Tero Pernu says. 

Sasken's vision for the future is clear – to remain at the vanguard of testing and tuning technologies, paving the way for camera and audio technology advancements. 

“Our state-of-the-art facilities, extensive experience, and a deep understanding of market needs enable us to offer services that are not only efficient and cost-effective but also reliable and of the highest quality. We're now focusing on our camera lab to offer value-added services such as camera module testing and reference hardware development, which are essential starting points for product development,” Girish BVS says. 

The versatility and technical expertise allow Sasken to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of electronic devices, including cameras and audio equipment, and to ensure that the software within these products is as robust as the hardware. 

“We pride ourselves on our ability to combine our intelligence and experience with the latest equipment and technologies in the market. This combination allows us to provide comprehensive solutions that are efficient, cost-effective, and reliable,” Girish BVS notes. 

Artificial intelligence is making a grand entrance everywhere, offering exciting opportunities for technological advancement and automation. Sasken looks to the future with excitement and confidence. 

“This is what spurs us forward as a company: the idea that we can make a difference in people's lives and make their lives easier”, Pernu concludes.