Software Engineering

The art to solving complex high risk technical problems is by innovative simple solutions

Software is pervasive in all of Kaon’s products and development areas. Many of our systems have to work continuously in harsh environments where ease of use is essential and system downtime is unacceptable. As such, we place great emphasis on producing software that not only meets or exceeds customer requirements and expectations, but also that works reliably, safely and efficiently.

Quality Processes

All software is developed in accordance with Company standards that conform to ISO 9000:2000 and TickIT. Our processes are streamlined to ensure that all essential information, but little more, is captured and reviewed at the appropriate lifecycle phases. As a consequence, our development cycles are efficient and very competitive.

A process of continuous integration is employed both to reduce risks early and such that we can provide customers with staged levels of functionality. Software undergoes rigorous testing, including prolonged burn-in tests, to minimise the risk of errors in the delivered product.

Design and Development Expertise

Our software staff are all highly experienced in the design and development of real-time systems and associated Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). We also have expertise in the field of digital signal processing, particularly in the domains of audio, sonar and radar.

UML (the Unified Modelling Language) is used to design the software architecture of our systems. We principally use the C++ language for real-time tasks, with Java being employed wherever feasible for non real-time aspects, including GUIs. Matlab is used for algorithm modelling.

We have experience of a wide range of operating systems, including real-time operating systems such as VxWorks and conventional ones such as Windows and Linux. We prefer to use Linux wherever possible to ensure that our systems are open rather than being tied to a particular vendor. Real-time extensions to Linux are employed when essential to do so, although Kaon has significant experience in system tuning and application design that avoids the need for this in many cases.

Software Framework

Kaon has their own software framework for efficient real-time signal processing which enables new systems to be built in very short timescales. This framework is utilised as part of the Software Sonar product that has been deployed in, for example, the PASS project.

Availability of Consultants

Staff are versed in a wide range of development tools and are available for consultancy in any of the areas mentioned or related to the above.