The development of modern measurement systems requires high-performance software that combines precise data processing, reliable machine control, and an intuitive user interface. In this project, Konzept Informationssysteme GmbH supported a manufacturer of mass spectrometers in the further development of a control controller and its associated software architecture.
The goal was to optimize existing software components, integrate new functions, and ensure the software remains maintainable and extensible in the long term. Stability, speed, and precision of the software are particularly crucial in the semiconductor production environment, where mass spectrometers are used to analyze process gases.
Software Development for Control Controllers in Measurement Technology
Mass spectrometers are used in industrial measurement technology to analyse minute concentrations of substances. In semiconductor manufacturing, for example, they are used to monitor process gases during production.
As measuring instruments became increasingly complex, there was a need to further develop the existing software architecture. In addition to ongoing product maintenance, the focus was particularly on new functions for a mobile, more compact measuring system.
The customer’s existing system landscape consisted of several software layers:
- Operating system layer on the control controller
- Proprietary firmware for hardware control
- Measurement software for data processing
- Graphical user interface for operation and analysis
The central requirements of the project were:
- Extension of the existing software
- Adaptation and enhancement of the graphical user interface
- Integration of new hardware modules into the control software
- Ensuring the long-term maintainability of the code
Firmware and GUI Extension for Modern Measurement Systems
As part of the development support, Konzept Informationssysteme took on both conceptual and implementation tasks. The objective was to develop new software modules while preserving the existing user guidance and system stability.
A key component was the extension of the software for controlling a gas inlet system. New modules were developed for this purpose and made controllable via the graphical user interface.
The core development work included:
- Bug fixing and product maintenance of the existing system
- Revision and extension of the graphical user interface
- Development of new embedded modules for hardware control
- Integration of new functions into the existing software architecture
- Creation of test cases as well as verification and validation routines
- Setup of a virtual simulation environment based on a Digital Twin
A technical highlight was the restructuring of the communication protocol. By optimizing data transmission, the measurement speed was significantly increased, which is particularly important for highly dynamic analysis processes.
Other important improvements included restructuring the configuration interface to store complete system configurations and adding new UI dialogs for flexible measurement configuration. Furthermore, UI-supported maintenance instructions were implemented to support service processes, which significantly improved the system’s usability while creating the technical foundation for future expansions.
Technologies Used and Engineering Competencies
The project combined expertise in Embedded Systems, software architecture, test automation, and agile development. In addition to pure development work, Konzept Informationssysteme handled coordination tasks between various stakeholders and actively supported the agile transformation within the project environment. Furthermore, targeted consulting on software architecture and design was provided to create a sustainable system structure.
The newly developed functions were cleanly documented and clearly commented in the source code to enable the customer to continue developing the software.
Added Value with Konzept Informationssysteme as a Development Partner
In the development of complex embedded systems for test and measurement technology, technical excellence, methodological certainty, and a clearly structured project approach are crucial for sustainable success.
Konzept Informationssysteme brought extensive experience in the field of Embedded Systems to the project. This was complemented by profound methodological competence in agile software development, structured architecture and design consulting, and a high standard for code quality and transparent documentation.
The close collaboration with the customer’s team enabled transparent coordination, short decision-making paths, and efficient integration into existing development processes. The result is a high-performance, extensible software foundation for future product generations.
Expertise in Embedded Systems for Industrial Measurement Technology
The demands on measurement systems in the semiconductor industry and other high-tech sectors are continuously growing. Higher measurement speeds, larger data volumes, and more complex hardware place high demands on the underlying software architecture.
Companies in mechanical engineering as well as in the test and measurement technology sector benefit from a development partner who masters embedded software development as well as modern software architecture and system integration.
The experience from this project shows how targeted enhancement of existing systems can create powerful and future-proof solutions for industrial measurement systems.
