Frequently asked questions — Codium Electronique

Codium designs custom electronic boards for industry: control boards, data acquisition boards, IoT and connected modules (LoRa, LTE-M, BLE, Wi-Fi), power supply boards, proprietary RF radio boards and embedded boards for constrained environments. We work in SMT and through-hole technology, single or multilayer, on projects ranging from a one-off prototype to a small industrial series.

The design lead time typically varies from 3 to 8 weeks depending on the complexity of the project: number of layers, component density, EMC constraints, RF integration, etc. A simple project (power board, sensor interface) can be delivered in 3 weeks. A complex project (multilayer radio module, mixed digital/analogue/RF board) rather requires 6 to 8 weeks. These lead times include schematic, layout, DFM review and generation of the manufacturing files.

Yes, taking over an existing design is a frequent request. We can work from KiCad, Altium or Eagle files, or even paper schematics. We analyse the existing file, identify areas for improvement (reliability, cost, manufacturability), then propose a roadmap. If the source files are in a proprietary format, we migrate them to KiCad.

We use KiCad exclusively. This choice is deliberate: KiCad is open-source EDA software with no licence fees, offering a Python API that lets us automate certain tasks and connect it directly to our in-house ERP. This allows us to maintain a digitalised production flow from design through to manufacturing orders. The delivered files are therefore natively in KiCad, and can be opened and edited without a paid licence.

Yes, by default we deliver the complete design package: KiCad schematic (.kicad_sch), PCB layout (.kicad_pcb), BOM (component list with supplier references), complete manufacturing package (Gerber files, Excellon drill files, assembly drawings). The customer therefore has everything needed to evolve the board or have it produced by any manufacturer.

DFM (Design for Manufacturing, or design for manufacturability) is a systematic review of the PCB layout before production launch. It checks that the PCB manufacturer's rules are respected (clearances, pad sizes, annular rings, via fill), that component placement is compatible with soldering processes (reflow, wave), and that the chosen components are available and pose no sourcing problem. At Codium, DFM is systematic before any launch.

Production lead times depend on volume and component availability. For a prototype or a small series (1 to 10 boards), typically allow 2 to 4 weeks after validation of the manufacturing file. For larger series, a schedule is set up in advance. Component procurement is often the limiting factor: we work with trusted distributors (Mouser, Farnell, TME) to secure critical components.

We work from 1 prototype up to 100,000 boards per year. There is no imposed minimum order: some projects start with a single prototype and then grow into series. Our core target is 1,000 to 5,000 boards per year per project, where flexibility and proximity matter more than the optimum unit cost of large EMS providers.

Yes, our production is carried out in France. We are based in Langres (Haute-Marne, 52200) and we assemble the electronic boards on site. Producing in France offers several advantages: responsiveness to changes during production, direct quality control, controlled lead times and complete traceability. For bare printed circuit boards (PCBs), we work with trusted European manufacturers.

Yes, prototyping is at the heart of our business. We support customers from the feasibility phase through to the working prototype. A first prototype lets you validate the concept and identify the adjustments needed before committing to a series. We also offer rapid iterations : if the prototype reveals a design problem, we handle the revision and the new build as quickly as possible.

Our team masters a wide range of radio protocols: LoRa and LoRaWAN for low-power long-range IoT networks, LTE-M (LTE Cat-M1) for cellular IoT connectivity, DECT NR+ for wireless industrial applications, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for short-range connectivity, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac), and proprietary RF for custom links at specific frequencies. Pierre Belloche, the team's RF engineer, specialises in antenna design and radio qualification.

We support our customers through the process of CE and RED certification (Radio Equipment Directive) for products integrating radio modules. This support includes: design for compliance (choice of pre-certified modules, antenna rules), preparation of the technical file, and carrying out EMC pre-tests (electromagnetic compatibility) to anticipate problems before the official tests in an accredited laboratory. We are not a test laboratory, but we prepare you for these tests to maximise the chances of success first time.

The process is simple: fill in our contact form or call us directly on +33 9 50 16 03 52. We reply within 48 working hours. A first discussion (by phone or video call) lets us scope the requirement, assess feasibility and offer you a quote. To speed up this discussion, prepare if possible: a functional description of the product, the environmental constraints (temperature, vibration, IP rating), the target volumes and the desired lead times.

We mainly work with industrial SMEs, mid-caps and hardware start-ups. Our size and flexibility let us be responsive and adapt to the constraints of human-sized organisations. We also work with subsidiaries or R&D departments of large groups when they need specialised external capacity. The condition is not the size of the customer but the clarity of the need and the willingness to build a trusting relationship over the long term.

Codium is located at 10 Rue Cardinal Morlot, 52200 Langres, in Haute-Marne (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté). Langres is accessible from Dijon (50 km), Chaumont (25 km) and the A31 (Nancy–Dijon axis). We receive customers by appointment. For remote projects, we work very well remotely: video conferences, secure file sharing, online design reviews.

Yes, it is a significant part of our business. We design custom boards for special-purpose machines, industrial controllers, control systems, automated test benches and measurement systems. These projects often involve severe environmental constraints (extended temperature range, vibration, industrial EMC) and real-time processing requirements. We master these constraints end to end: schematic, PCB layout, firmware and industrialisation.

Yes. Our engineers develop embedded systems with real-time constraints under Zephyr RTOS, FreeRTOS and embedded Linux. Real-time processing covers many cases: motor control, high-frequency sensor data acquisition, industrial protocols (Modbus, CANbus). We size the microcontroller or SoC according to the latency and determinism requirements of the system.

Yes. We design complete measurement chains: analogue signal conditioning (instrumentation amplifiers, anti-aliasing filters), high-resolution analogue-to-digital conversion, galvanic isolation. Typical applications: analogue sensors for pressure, temperature, current, force. We also design test benches and automatic testers for validating series production.

Yes. All our designs build in compliance with RoHS standards from the schematic stage: lead-free components, halogen-free on request. We work to documented, traceable processes. Customers requiring supplier qualification to ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 can contact us to discuss their specific requirements.

Yes. Energy efficiency is a design criterion in its own right for battery-powered connected devices. We optimise power consumption at several levels: selection of components with low quiescent current, fine management of sleep modes (deep sleep, hibernation), firmware optimisation to minimise active cycles, and choice of a suitable radio protocol (LoRaWAN, LTE-M, DECT NR+) for low power consumption. We have designed industrial IoT devices with battery lives of several years on a single cell.

Yes. We integrate geolocation modules depending on the context: GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS) for precise outdoor positioning, assisted GNSS to reduce acquisition time, cellular geolocation (LTE-M) for areas without satellite visibility. On battery-powered systems, we carefully manage GNSS acquisition cycles to preserve battery life.