Syncopated Systems specializes in research and development of electronic computer technologies that automate, boost productivity, and provide valuable products and services for aerospace, consumer, entertainment, industrial, and medical applications, including robots and new media such as video games and the World-Wide Web.

Television on Your Computer

For video game industry creator Nolan Bushnell, Syncopated Systems helped create the first television interface adapter for personal computers, the grayscale Aapps MicroTV (1989) for Apple Macintosh II, and color MicroTV II (1989, pictured).

Services Provided: Circuit Design, Design Verification
Video and Computer Games

Syncopated Systems saved video game developer Iguana Entertainment 95% on cross-platform software development interfaces needed to conduct its business and create games including Aero the Acro‑Bat (1993), home versions of NBA Jam (1994), and NFL Quarterback Club (1995), enabling it to create Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (1997) and South Park (1998).

Having reverse-engineered the original Sony PlayStation, Syncopated Systems principal John R. Carlsen led hardware development of a PlayStation for Sony in 2010-2011.

Services Provided: Reverse Engineering, System Design, Component Engineering, Mechanical Design, Circuit Design, PCB Design, Design Verification, User Interface Design, Application Software Development
Portable Digital Audio Players

Syncopated Systems principal John R. Carlsen created reference designs used to make most flash-based portable MP3 digital audio players introducing SigmaTel’s a new line of system-on-chip devices, including demonstrations of cost-reductions to existing designs such as the Creative NOMAD II (2000, pictured).

Mr. Carlsen further created and introduced a new user interface for portable players that reduced their complexity, size, and cost, and enabled the first Apple iPod Shuffle (2005).

Services Provided: Reverse Engineering, Component Engineering, PCB Design, User Interface Design, Regulatory Compliance Testing
Design for Manufacturability and Testing

Thorough knowledge of PCB fabrication, electronics assembly processes, and regulatory requirements reduces costs of customer designs, as with these SigmaTel IrDA transceivers (2000-2001).

By optimizing components and printed circuit board design, Syncopated Systems principal John R. Carlsen created one of the first in-port USB devices (bottom).

Services Provided: Component Engineering, PCB Design, Design Verification
Industrial Automation

Syncopated Systems developed a client’s concept into its industry’s leading product: GateSync, a high-speed automated rail equipment system that replenishes railway ballast and returns track segments to revenue generation 10 times faster than before (2003-2009; case study).

In 2016, Syncopated Systems integrated a GPS receiver and ADS-B transponder—now required for flight in certain airspace—into V-BAT, a large VTOL UAV.

Services Provided: Reverse Engineering, System Design, System Integration, Circuit Design, PCB Design, User Interface Design, Application Software Development
Maximizing Computer Life and Value

Syncopated Systems created, manufactures, and sells the BIT‑C‑128 Video DAC (2015), the most popular adapter for viewing high-quality 80‑column video output from Commodore 128 and other IBM CGA sources on modern display monitors, including flat panels.

In 2019, Syncopated Systems principal John R. Carlsen designed a PCB needed to demonstrate operation of an Apollo Guidance Computer (1966), a technology that enabled the first people to walk on and return from the Moon 50 years earlier.

Services Provided: System Design, Component Engineering, Mechanical Design, Circuit Design, PCB Design, Manufacturing

Services

Syncopated Systems provides deep knowledge of electronic computing device technology through contracted consulting, research, and development services—saving clients considerable time and money.

“An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject, and how to avoid them.”

– Werner Heisenberg, 1971

Services include:

Information Technology
- Web Site Development – Internal or on the World-Wide Web; Online Advertising, Publishing, e-Commerce
- Internet Domains – Registration and Hosting
- Office Automation – Computer Networks, Workstations, Servers; Electronic Mail; Document Scan/Print
- Database Design, Implementation, and Programming (for CRM, ERP, etc.)
- Data Security Management – Access Control, Redundant (Backup) Copy Storage and Restoration
System Design and Engineering
- Reverse Engineering – Supporting Development and Expert Witnesses
- System Design – Requirements, Specification, Architecture
- System Integration
- Design Verification and Validation
- Regulatory Compliance – including UL, FCC Certification Testing
Software Development
- User Interface Design – including Implementation, Testing, and Optimization
- Application Software Development
- Cross-Platform Software and Embedded Firmware Development
- Command Line and Web Scripting
Hardware Development
- Component Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Thermal Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
  - Circuit Design – including Batteries and Chargers, Power Supply and Regulation, Analog and Digital
  - Digital Logic Design – Discrete and Field-Programmable (PLD, FPGA using Verilog, VHDL)
  - Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design
Operations Management
- Development Operations (DevOps) Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Manufacturing

Television on Your Computer

Video and Computer Games

Portable Digital Audio Players

Design for Manufacturability and Testing

Industrial Automation

Maximizing Computer Life and Value

Location

Services

Competitive Advantage