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New silicon doesn't boot itself. We bring it up.

needCode brings up new silicon and boards - board support packages, drivers, and RTOS porting across Zephyr, FreeRTOS, and ThreadX - the foundation every protocol stack and SDK sits on. Nine hardware-platform bring-ups completed across UWB, BLE, and multi-protocol silicon, by a team that's done it repeatedly rather than once.
needCode IoT

We work with Industry Leaders

Every wireless product starts with silicon that doesn't do anything yet

Below the protocol stack and the application is the part no datasheet does for you: making new silicon actually run - the BSP, the drivers, the RTOS brought up and stabilised, the board peripherals working together. It's slow, exacting, and unforgiving, and a shaky bring-up undermines everything built on top.

Most teams do a bring-up rarely; doing it well is a function of having done it many times. needCode has completed nine hardware-platform bring-ups across UWB, BLE, and multi-protocol silicon. We bring up the platform so the SDK, the stack, and the product have solid ground to stand on.

9 platform bring-ups

Across UWB, BLE, and multi-protocol silicon - repetition is what makes a bring-up reliable.

Protocol-agnostic foundation

BSP, drivers, and RTOS beneath any wireless stack - UWB, BLE, WiFi, or mixed.

RTOS portability

Zephyr, FreeRTOS, ThreadX, bare metal - built to move across silicon generations, not lock in.

What platform bring-up includes

Four layers turn new silicon into a platform you can build on. needCode delivers all four.

Silicon Bring-Up

Getting new silicon to boot, run, and behave - clocks, power domains, memory, and peripherals brought up from nothing. It's the first and least forgiving step, where a problem missed here resurfaces in everything built on top.

Board Support Package & Drivers

BSP and device drivers for the board's peripherals - the layer the OS and protocol stack depend on to talk to the hardware. needCode builds them to be maintainable and portable, because this is the unglamorous code everything above it trusts.

RTOS Porting & Integration

Zephyr, FreeRTOS, ThreadX, or bare metal brought up on the platform, with scheduling, drivers, and power management tuned to the silicon. The RTOS choice shapes the product's footprint and lifecycle, so needCode fits it to the hardware rather than forcing one.

Foundation for the Stack

The bring-up handed over as solid, documented ground for a protocol SDK or application to land on. It's the difference between a stack built on bedrock and one built on a platform that still surprises you.

New silicon or a new board to bring up?

Book a discovery call with our CEO

Where bring-up matters

A bring-up underpins very different programmes. needCode adapts the same depth to each.

New Silicon (Chip Vendors)

Bring-up alongside the chip itself, so the reference platform and SDK land together when the silicon samples. For a vendor, that timing is what lets early customers evaluate on day one instead of waiting.

New Boards & Modules

Custom hardware brought to life for a product programme - a new board, module, or reference design taken from schematic to working platform. needCode has done this across nine platforms, so a new board starts from experience.

Multi-Protocol Platforms

Silicon running BLE, Zigbee, UWB, or Infrared together, with the coexistence and runtime switching that keep the radios from fighting each other. It's harder than any single-protocol bring-up, and needCode has shipped it in one platform.

Across the ICP

Automotive ECUs, robotics compute, and IoT devices - any platform that has to come alive before the product can. needCode brings the same low-level depth wherever new hardware needs to boot reliably.

Why teams bring needCode in for bring-up

Nine bring-ups, across vendors

Bring-up reliability is a function of repetition, and needCode has done it nine times across UWB, BLE, and multi-protocol silicon. A new platform starts from hard-won experience rather than a learning curve you fund.

The team behind the public QM35 SDK

needCode's bring-up work produced the public Qorvo QM35 SDK - an inspectable artefact, not just an internal milestone. A prospect can read real output before the first call instead of taking capability on trust.

RTOS portability as standard

Zephyr, FreeRTOS, ThreadX, bare metal - needCode builds the platform to move across silicon generations rather than lock into one. That portability is what protects the investment when the next chip arrives.

Foundation done right

A shaky bring-up taxes a product for its entire life, in instability that's hard to trace and expensive to fix late. needCode makes the ground solid before the stack lands, so everything above it stays stable.

Four ways to bring needCode in

From a scoping pass to a long-term team. We match the engagement to where the platform is

01

Feasibility & Site Survey

  • Duration:
    2–4 weeks
  • Best for:
    Assessing new silicon or a board and planning the bring-up
  • Deliverable:
    Scope, risk list, bring-up plan

02

RTLS Design & Build

  • Duration: 
    Phased
  • Best for:
    New silicon or a new board taken from nothing to a working platform
  • Deliverable:
    Silicon bring-up, BSP, drivers, RTOS, and a working reference

03

Deployment & Scale-Up

  • Duration: 
    Phased
  • Best for:
    Porting to a new RTOS, refactoring a BSP, or stabilising an existing platform
  • Deliverable:
    Migrated, stabilised platform

04

Long-Term Partnership

  • Duration: 
    Multi-year, retainer-based
  • Best for:
    Vendors who want an embedded platform team across silicon generations
  • Deliverable:
    The 30-FTE Qorvo model - a dedicated team in your cadence

What we ship on

We pick the silicon, RTOS, and toolchain that match your hardware and its lifecycle.

Silicon

Qorvo
Nordic
NXP
STMicroelectronics
Infineon
Texas Instruments
Silicon Labs
Espressif

RTOS

Zephyr
FreeRTOS
ThreadX
bare metal

Languages

C99
C11
C++
Rust

Toolchains

GCC
LLVM / Clang
IAR
Keil
CMake
West
Kconfig

Peripherals

SPI
I²C
UART
USB
SDIO
DMA
low-power domains

Case studies

The proof for a bring-up service is repetition across real silicon.

Qorvo: RF Leadership

Context: Rapid scaling for new chipset bring-up.
  • Scale: Grew from <10 to 30 FTEs.
  • Output: Supported bring-up of 9 new hardware platforms (SDKs, Drivers, Stacks).
  • Retention: Zero-churn core team retained for 5+ years.
Dedicated Development Center for RF Solutions
Bluetooth Mesh Smart Lighting Control System

Smart Lighting: Core R&D Extension

Context: Client needed deep, specialized expertise to pivot from proprietary tech to a new global standard.
  • Service: Deployed a dedicated squad of embedded engineers to function as the client's core R&D team.
  • Output: Co-authored official Bluetooth SIG protocols and delivered the world’s first certified BLE Mesh stack.
  • Value: Enabled the client to secure Series A funding and defined the industry standard for smart buildings.

Creative Werks: Innovation rescue

Context: Hardware obsolescence threatened production shutdown.
  • Action: Full-stack takeover (PCB redesign + Firmware + Mobile App).
  • ROI: 1230% ($1.6M value generated).
  • Speed: Payback period of 2–3 months.
NeedCode-case study - IoT Solution for Boat Lift Modernization - cover2s
needcode-powerpolen-case-study-cover2s

PowerPollen: AgTech automation

Context: Lack of internal expertise stalled a critical automation project.
  • Action: Re-architected system using unified MCU and ISOBUS standards.
  • ROI: 13.8x ($2.9M value generated).
  • Impact: Enabled $1.9M increase in harvester value.

Strategic Partnership

needCode is an official business partner of Qorvo, bringing over 8 years of proven expertise and trusted service to the technology sector.
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UWB-Alliance-logo-banner

Members of the UWB Alliance

In 2025 we became a member of the UWB Alliance. This strategic step reinforces our commitment to pioneering Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.

Proudly Certified for Excellence and Security

needCode is officially certified for:
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Information Security
ISO certifications reflect our focus on delivering reliable IoT solutions, smart product development, and secure technology services.
ISO 9001_2015ISO - IEC 27001_2022

Testimonials

“I think the key takeaway from needCode is their ability to adapt and understand the customer's requirements. That took away probably a large portion of what could have been a lot of development time and expense for both companies.”
Bob Folkestad
Bob Folkestad
President at Creative Werks
“One aspect that truly sets needCode apart is its profound expertise in firmware development. Their proficiency in various programming languages, embedded systems and hardware architecture is truly impressive. When faced with difficult problems, their strong problem-solving skills and analytical mindset shine through, allowing them to overcome obstacles with remarkable ease.”
avatar Semeh Sarhan
Semeh Sarhan
CEO at Xtrava
“I worked with needCode while leading the NWTN-Berlin team in 2018. A big chunk for our FW development has been outsourced to them and they had proven to iterate very quickly, following specs and deliver on time. It was great working with them. I recommend working with needCode’s team on any Embedded SW development.”
avatar Marco Salvioli Mariani
Marco Salvioli Mariani
CTO at NWTN Berlin GmbH
“needCode Team proved to be one of the best engineers I have ever met. The part I like the most about the team is the more difficult an obstacle seems to be, the more motivated they were to find a solution and a way forward.”
A Testimonial picture
Szymon Słupik
CTO at Silvair
“needCode is an outstanding partner. Their quick follow-up, scalability, and extensive professional network set them apart. Their expertise in wireless technologies has been valuable, supporting us from low-level drivers to architecture discussions.”
avatar Tim Allemeersch
Tim Allemeersch
Director at Qorvo, Inc.
“needCode did a great job improving the firmware of the Vai Kai connected toys and developing new features, surpassing our expectations multiple times. I would definitely recommend hiring Bartek and needCode for the embedded software projects!”
avatar Matas Petrikas
Matas Petrikas
CEO & Co-founder
at Vai Kai UG

Insights

FAQ

Platform bring-up is the work of making new silicon or a new board actually run - booting the chip, configuring clocks, power, and memory, writing the board support package and drivers, and bringing up an RTOS. It is the foundation every protocol stack and application sits on. needCode delivers it as solid ground for the SDK that follows.

needCode ports and integrates Zephyr, FreeRTOS, and ThreadX, and works bare metal where that fits the product. RTOS portability is treated as standard so the platform can move across silicon generations rather than locking into one. The choice depends on the product's footprint, ecosystem, and lifecycle.

Yes - needCode has completed nine hardware-platform bring-ups across UWB, BLE, and multi-protocol silicon, including custom boards and modules. Bring-up reliability comes from having done it repeatedly across vendors. New silicon and custom hardware are the core of this service.

Yes - board support packages and device drivers for the board's peripherals are core deliverables, since they are the layer the OS and protocol stack depend on. needCode builds them to be maintainable and portable, not just functional. This is the unglamorous depth that decides whether everything above it is stable.

needCode has worked across Qorvo, Nordic, NXP, ST, Infineon, Texas Instruments, Silicon Labs, and Espressif, with engineers who shipped at several of them. As a certified Qorvo partner, needCode also maintains the public QM35 SDK. The breadth is what lets a bring-up start from experience rather than a datasheet.

Bring-up is the foundation - making the silicon and board run - while SDK development is the protocol stack and APIs built on top of it. needCode separates them because the platform has to be solid before a UWB or BLE SDK lands on it. The two are often delivered together, with bring-up first.

Yes - needCode has brought up silicon running BLE, Zigbee, UWB, and Infrared together, including runtime protocol switching, with clean coexistence. Multi-protocol bring-up is harder because the radios and stacks have to share the platform. It is a demonstrated capability, not a theoretical one.

A platform bring-up is phased against the maturity of the silicon and the complexity of the board, so a well-documented chip on a standard board is faster than brand-new silicon. needCode scopes the bring-up first, with a risk list, rather than promising a date blind. Early scoping is where the realistic timeline comes from.

Let's work on your next project together

Book a demo and discovery call with our CEO
to get a look at:
Strategic Expertise
End-to-End Solutions
Advanced Technology
Custom Hardware Devices
Bartek Kling
Bartek Kling / CEO
© 2026 needCode. All rights reserved.

Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing machines are typically equipped with IoT sensors that capture performance data. AIoT technology analyzes this sensor data, and based on vibration patterns, the AI predicts the machine's behavior and recommends actions to maintain optimal performance. This approach is highly effective for predictive maintenance, promoting safer working environments, continuous operation, longer equipment lifespan, and less downtime. Additionally, AIoT enhances quality control on production lines.

For example, Sentinel, a monitoring system used in pharmaceutical production by IMA Pharma, employs AI to evaluate sensor data along the production line. The AI detects and improves underperforming components, ensuring efficient machine operation and maintaining high standards in drug manufacturing.

Logistics & supply chain

IoT devices - from fleet vehicles and autonomous warehouse robots to scanners and beacons - generate large amounts of data in this industry. When combined with AI, this data can be leveraged for tracking, analytics, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, and more, offering greater visibility into logistics operations and enhancing vendor partnerships.

Example: Amazon employs over 750,000 autonomous mobile robots to assist warehouse staff with heavy lifting, delivery, and package handling tasks. Other examples include AI-powered IoT devices such as cameras, RFID sensors, and beacons that help monitor goods' movement and track products within warehouses and during transportation. AI algorithms can also estimate arrival times and forecast delays by analyzing traffic conditions.

Retail

IoT sensors monitor movement and customer flow within a building, while AI algorithms analyze this data to offer insights into traffic patterns and product preferences. This information enhances understanding of customer behavior, helps prevent stockouts, and improves customer analytics to drive sales. Furthermore, AIoT enables retailers to deliver personalized shopping experiences by leveraging geographical data and individual shopping preferences.

For instance, IoT sensors track movement and customer flow, and AI algorithms process this information to reveal insights into traffic patterns and product preferences. This ultimately leads to better customer understanding, stockout prevention, and enhanced sales analytics.

Agriculture

Recent research by Continental reveals that over 27% of surveyed farmers utilize drones for aerial land analysis. These devices capture images of crops as they are and transmit them to a dashboard for further assessment. However, AI can enhance this process even further.

For example, AIoT-powered drones can photograph crops at various growth stages, assess plant health, detect diseases, and recommend optimal harvesting strategies to maximize yield. Additionally, these drones can be employed for targeted crop treatments, irrigation monitoring and management, soil health analysis, and more.

Smart Cities

Smart cities represent another domain where AIoT applications can enhance citizens' well-being, facilitate urban infrastructure planning, and guide future city development. In addition to traffic management, IoT devices equipped with AI can monitor energy consumption patterns, forecast demand fluctuations, and dynamically optimize energy distribution. AI-powered surveillance cameras and sensors can identify suspicious activities, monitor crowd density, and alert authorities to potential security threats in real-time, improving public safety and security.

For example, an AIoT solution has been implemented in Barcelona to manage water and energy sustainably. The city has installed IoT sensors across its water supply system to gather water pressure, flow rate, and quality data. AI algorithms analyze this information to identify leaks and optimize water usage. Similarly, smart grids have been introduced to leverage AI to predict demand and distribute energy efficiently, minimizing waste and emissions. As a result, these initiatives have enabled the city to reduce water waste by 25%, increase renewable energy usage by 17%, and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 19%.

Healthcare

Integrating AI and IoT in healthcare enables hospitals to deliver remote patient care more efficiently while reducing the burden on facilities. Additionally, AI can be used in clinical trials to preprocess data collected from sensors across extensive target and control groups.

For example, intelligent wearable technologies enable doctors to monitor patients remotely. In real-time, sensors collect vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. AI algorithms then analyze this data, assisting doctors in detecting issues early, developing personalized treatment plans, and enhancing patient outcomes.

Smart Homes

The smart home ecosystem encompasses smart thermostats, locks, security cameras, energy management systems, heating, lighting, and entertainment systems. AI algorithms analyze data from these devices to deliver context-specific recommendations tailored to each user. This enables homeowners to use utilities more efficiently, create a personalized living space, and achieve sustainability goals.

For example, LifeSmart offers a comprehensive suite of AI-powered IoT tools for smart homes, connecting new and existing intelligent appliances and allowing customers to manage them via their smartphones. Additionally, they provide an AI builder framework for deploying AI on smart devices, edge gateways, and the cloud, enabling AI algorithms to process data and user behavior autonomously.

Maintenance (Post-Release Support)

When your product is successfully launched and available on the market we provide ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure your product remains competitive and reliable. This includes prompt resolution of any reported issues through bug fixes and updates.

We continuously enhance product features based on user feedback and market insights, optimizing performance and user experience.

Our team monitors product performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and proactively addresses potential issues. This phase aims to sustain product competitiveness, ensure customer satisfaction, and support long-term success in the market.

Commercialization (From MVP to Product

Our software team focuses on completing the full product feature range, enhancing the user interface and experience, and handling all corner cases. We prepare product software across the whole lifecycle by providing all necessary procedures, such as manufacturing support and firmware upgrade.

We also finalize the product's hardware design to ensure robustness, scalability and cost-effectiveness.

This includes rigorous testing procedures to validate product performance, reliability, and security. We manage all necessary certifications and regulatory compliance requirements to ensure the product meets industry standards and legal obligations.

By the end of this phase, your product is fully prepared for mass production and commercial deployment, with all documentation and certifications in place.

Prototyping (From POC to MVP)

Our development team focuses on implementing core product features and use cases to create a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP). We advance to refining the hardware design, moving from initial concepts to detailed PCB design allowing us to assemble first prototypes. Updated documentation from the Design phase ensures alignment with current project status. A basic test framework is established to conduct preliminary validation tests.

This prepares the product for real-world demonstrations to stakeholders, customers, and potential investors.

This phase is critical for validating market readiness and functionality before proceeding to full-scale production.

Design (From Idea to POC)

We meticulously select the optimal technology stack and hardware components based on your smart product idea with detailed use cases and feature requirements (Market Requirements Document / Business Requirements Document). Our team conducts thorough assessments of costs, performance metrics, power consumption, and resource requirements.

Deliverables include a comprehensive Product Requirements Document (PRD), detailed Software Architecture plans, an Initial Test Plan outlining validation strategies, Regulatory Compliance Analysis to ensure adherence to relevant standards, and a Proof of Concept (POC) prototype implemented on breakout boards.

This phase aims to validate the technical feasibility of your concept and establish a solid foundation for further development.

If you lack a validated idea and MRD/BRD, consider utilizing our IoT Strategic Roadmap service to gain insights into target markets, user needs, and desired functionality. Having a structured plan in the form of an IoT Strategic Roadmap before development begins is crucial to mitigate complications in subsequent product development phases.