// SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Hardware-Software
Co-Design Experts

We architect complete embedded systems — SoC selection, memory strategy, bus topology, software partitioning, and full technical specifications before your first PCB spin.

View Our Work
30+
Architectures Designed
Zero
Board Respins from SW Bugs
Full
TDD Coverage
IP
Protected Designs

The most expensive mistake in embedded development is making the wrong architecture decision at the start — choosing a processor that is too slow, a memory layout that wastes flash, a bus topology that causes contention, or a software partitioning that makes the firmware unmaintainable. Good architecture prevents problems that would otherwise cost you 6 months and a PCB respin.

Codewave Labs provides embedded system architecture services: we help you select the right processor, memory, connectivity, and power management strategy, and we produce a Technical Design Document that your hardware and software teams can execute against with confidence.

// WHAT WE DELIVER

Our Capabilities

SoC & SoM Selection

Requirements-driven processor selection across ARM, RISC-V, MIPS, and Xtensa. Trade-off analysis across performance, power, cost, availability, and ecosystem.

Memory Architecture

Flash/RAM sizing, XIP vs copy-to-RAM strategy, external memory (SDRAM, SPI NOR, NAND, eMMC), wear levelling, and file system selection.

Software Partitioning

Bare-metal vs RTOS vs Linux decision, task/process architecture, IPC strategy, security partitioning (TrustZone), and multi-core workload distribution.

Power Architecture

Power domain design, sleep state strategy, battery life modelling, PMIC selection, and power sequencing specification.

Technical Design Document

Complete TDD covering hardware interfaces, software architecture, API definitions, timing budgets, memory map, and test strategy — your team's blueprint.

Design Review & Audit

Independent review of existing architecture, schematic audit, firmware code review, and formal risk assessment with remediation recommendations.

// TECHNOLOGIES & PLATFORMS

Platforms We Master

ARM Cortex-A (Linux)
NXP i.MX, TI Sitara, Xilinx Zynq, Broadcom BCM for Linux-class applications
ARM Cortex-M (RTOS/Bare)
STM32, Nordic, NXP LPC/i.MX RT, Microchip SAM for real-time applications
RISC-V
SiFive, Espressif RISC-V, GD32V — emerging architecture for cost-sensitive designs
Multi-Core SoCs
Heterogeneous multicore (Cortex-A + Cortex-M), OpenAMP/RPMsg IPC
FPGA-SoC
Xilinx Zynq/UltraScale+, Intel Cyclone V — hardware acceleration and custom I/O
Custom ASIC Bring-Up
Software architecture for custom silicon with limited vendor support
// HOW WE ENGAGE

Our Approach

01

Requirements Workshop

2–3 day workshop to capture functional, performance, power, cost, certification, and lifecycle requirements from all stakeholders.

02

Architecture Options

Two or three architecture options with trade-off matrix — performance, cost, risk, time-to-market, and maintainability.

03

Design Document

Full Technical Design Document: block diagrams, interface specifications, memory maps, API definitions, and test strategy.

04

Review & Sign-Off

Architecture review with your engineering team, formal sign-off, and transition to implementation with ongoing consulting access.

// COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Hire an architect when: you are starting a new product, you are unsure which processor or OS to use, you have had repeated schedule overruns on previous projects, or you need an independent review of an existing design before committing to manufacturing.
Hardware-software co-design means making hardware and software decisions together — not handing off a hardware design and asking software to work around it. We review schematics, identify hardware decisions that will make software harder, and recommend hardware changes while they are still cheap to make.
Yes. We offer Architecture Audit engagements: we review your existing design documents, schematics, and code, identify risks and technical debt, and produce a written assessment with prioritised recommendations.
Yes. Every architecture engagement includes a Technical Design Document (TDD) suitable for handing to a contract manufacturer, a certification body, or a new engineering team. We also produce hardware interface specifications and software architecture diagrams.
// GET STARTED

Ready to Start?

Tell us about your project — hardware platform, current challenges, timeline, and goals. First consultation is always free. We typically respond within 1 business day.

Email
hello@codewavelabs.ca
Response time
Within 1 business day
Location
Canada 🇨🇦 — serving clients worldwide

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