celadon-v2

Celadon: Your Strategic Partner for Consumer Electronics Manufacturing Beyond China

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:17:02 GMT

Manufacturing Trends - Redevelopement and Relocating Outside of China

At the same time, smaller and mid-sized companies are encountering a different challenge: access and support. Large manufacturing operations in China are increasingly optimized for high-volume programs, often leaving less room for iterative development, engineering changes, or lower-volume production runs. In some cases, companies also face concerns around intellectual property—whether through unclear ownership of design files, limited access to technical resources, or reluctance from suppliers to implement changes. These situations can create dependency, making it harder to pivot manufacturing or implement updates without friction. As a result, many organizations are not just diversifying production, they are taking a more decisive step by redesigning products and transitioning to partners that offer transparency, responsiveness, and clear IP alignment.

The global consumer electronics manufacturing landscape is undergoing a meaningful shift. For years, China has been the default hub for production, offering unmatched scale and efficiency. But rising U.S. import tariffs, increasing labor costs, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty are driving companies to move manufacturing out of China and rethink their supply chain strategies. For brands developing handheld consumer devices—where margins are tight and product cycles are short—these changes directly impact cost, lead times, and long-term competitiveness.

This shift is part of a broader movement toward supply chain diversification. According to a 2026 outlook from the Institute for Supply Management , companies are increasingly reducing dependence on single large offshore suppliers such as China and adopting “China +1” strategies to mitigate risk and improve resilience. As supply chains evolve, businesses are prioritizing flexibility, supplier engagement, and long-term sustainability over pure cost optimization. For consumer electronics companies, this means identifying manufacturing partners that can support both precision production and continuous product development.

South Korea manufacturing has emerged as a powerful alternative, offering advanced infrastructure, highly skilled engineering teams, and a strong focus on quality and accountability. For products such as remote controls, smart home devices, and other handheld electronics, where performance, reliability, and user experience are critical, working with a responsive, engineering-driven partner can significantly improve both product quality and time-to-market.

This is where Celadon Inc. delivers a distinct advantage. Celadon specializes in custom remote control design, RF and IR technology, and handheld consumer electronics development, supporting customers from concept through production and beyond. Rather than simply shifting manufacturing locations, Celadon helps customers re-engineer and optimize their products—enhancing functionality, improving ergonomics, reducing costs, and designing around more stable, readily available components.

Celadon’s approach is built on long-term partnerships, not transactional projects. Customers benefit from ongoing engineering support, product enhancements, and lifecycle management—ensuring their devices remain competitive as technology and market demands evolve. Just as importantly, Celadon operates with full transparency: customers retain ownership of the intellectual property they fund, and at the conclusion of development, receive a complete technical data package for full control and flexibility.

Ready to Move Beyond China and Improve Your Product?

If you’re exploring how to move manufacturing out of China, improve product performance, or develop a new custom remote control or handheld device, Celadon can help you take the next step with confidence.

* Visit Celadon to learn about custom product development and manufacturing solutions

* Get expert guidance on RF, IR, and wireless technologies

* Start a conversation about optimizing your current product or launching a new one

Contact Celadon today to schedule a free consultation and discover how a strategic manufacturing partner can help you reduce risk, improve performance, and accelerate your next product launch: https://celadon.com/contact-us/

Project Spotlight- TELUS Senior Remote

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:41:16 GMT

A Case Study- The TELUS Senior Remote Project

TELUS , one of Canada’s larger cable companies and telecommunications providers for residential, commercial, hospitality, and senior care customers, was using a standard remote control from another supplier. They realized that the senior care market has unique requirements and they would need a custom remote control with specific features to meet the needs of these customers. Some of these requirements included having large, easy to read buttons, a “smart” backlit keypad that would maximize battery life and being easy to clean or wipe down.

After several meetings to discuss the product requirements and general specifications, Celadon provided TELUS with a proposal for all the various design and development stages of the TELUS Seniors Remote Control including industrial design, mechanical design, electronic design, programming, artwork, 3D printed samples, tooling fabrication fees, first article samples, EMC testing and production setup fees. The proposal also included an estimate of the unit price, which was based upon the product specifications.

In 2016, Celadon partnered with TELUS to design and manufacture a custom remote control optimized for senior care environments. The result was an easy-to-use, hygienic, energy-efficient remote deployed across senior facilities throughout Canada

The Challenge

The Celadon Solution

Celadon’s designers prepared concept renderings of the initial design for the project manager at TELUS to review. The concept included a unique feature which allowed the remote control to either lay flat on a surface or be able to stand vertically. A large membrane keypad mounted over a rubber keypad provided an easy to clean surface with strong tactile feedback for the user. Once the customer approved the concept design, the Celadon team was able to finish the industrial design of the remote and start the mechanical design for the various components of the remote.

After the industrial design was reviewed and approved, Celadon had several 3D printed samples of the remote control prepared for the team at TELUS to review for final approval, prior to starting the tooling fabrication. TELUS was able to evaluate the 3D printed models for look and feel and approved the final design to start the tooling

Engineering and Testing

Tooling design and fabrication typically takes between 6-8 weeks before the initial plastic samples will be ready for inspection. During this time, the printed circuit board (PCB) was designed for the new model, and the microcontroller (MCU) was programmed to meet the customers’ requirements, which included a universal library of infrared codes for TV’s, codes for different TELUS cable boxes and incorporating easy setup procedures.

Celadon proposed a simple solution for the “smart” backlit keypad, where a combination of an ambient light sensor and tilt sensor was used to monitor the movement of the remote control when in a user’s hand and measuring the amount of light in a room to determine when to activate the backlighting of the keypad. The components required for this solution were very inexpensive and the battery life savings were considerable after the system was fine tuned for a typical room in a senior care facility.

First article samples using the new plastic components and the printed circuit boards were prepared by Celadon engineers for TELUS to test and approve for mass production. After the samples were approved, additional samples were prepared and submitted to our EMC test lab for all of the required standards for an infrared remote control to be marketed and sold in Canada. Test reports and certificates were provided to TELUS for their product records.

Manufacturing and Deployment

Mass production of the TELUS Seniors remote control took place at our ISO certified production facility in South Korea. The shipment was transported to Canada via ocean freight, and the logistics were coordinated by the team at Celadon. The TELUS remote control was delivered to TELUS and deployed to senior care facilities across several different Canadian provinces. The remotes proved a valuable tool for seniors by providing improved usability.

Count On Celadon for Your Project

Looking to develop a custom control solution for healthcare, hospitality, or enterprise environments? Celadon specializes in concept-to-production product development. Celadon provides free consultation services to discuss any new Infrared, Radio Frequency, or custom product development projects.

Please complete the Contact Us form on our website and a representative will contact you to discuss your project.

https://celadon.com/contact-us/

What is IR Technology - And Why It Still Matters in Remote Controls

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:41:23 GMT

What Is Infrared (IR) Technology?

In a world full of voice assistants, app-based controls, and smart home hubs, one might assume traditional remote controls are outdated. Yet behind most of the handheld devices we point at TVs, soundbars, or media players lies a surprisingly enduring technology: infrared (IR) . Despite the rise of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and RF-based systems, IR remains a cornerstone of remote control design — and for good reason.

Infrared refers to a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum just beyond the red edge of visible light. Though invisible to the human eye, IR can carry information in the form of light pulses that electronic devices understand. When you press a button on a remote control, the transmitter — specifically an IR LED — emits a pattern of pulsed infrared light that encodes a command. The receiving device’s photodiode detects these pulses and translates them into binary data, triggering the requested response such as changing the channel, adjusting volume, or powering off.

IR remote controls have been the dominant wireless interface for consumer electronics for decades because of their simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness . Unlike RF (radio frequency) remotes that can operate through walls, IR requires a line of sight between the remote and the device — but this limitation also reduces interference and keeps production costs low.

Why Infrared Is Still Relevant Today

1. Proven, Low-Cost Performance

Even with wireless technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi becoming more common, IR excels in basic remote control tasks because it’s inexpensive and well-understood. The components — an LED emitter and a receiver with simple processing circuitry — add minimal cost, which matters in the highly competitive consumer electronics space.

For manufacturers, this translates into reliable performance without significant hardware overhead. In many TVs, set-top boxes, audio receivers, and home entertainment products, IR remains the standard because it does the job well without needing complex protocols or frequent updates .

2. Compatibility and Standards

One of IR’s enduring strengths is interoperability. Many devices use standardized IR protocols such as RC-5 or NEC , which allow universal remotes to control multiple brands and types of equipment. This compatibility reduces customer frustration and cuts support costs for manufacturers.

Moreover, IR technology has matured to the point where encoding schemes and modulation techniques reliably avoid interference from ambient light or other electronics — a key consideration in consumer environments filled with competing signals.

3. Integration With Smart Features

While pure IR remotes require line-of-sight, modern designs often integrate IR with other wireless technologies. For example, a smart remote might combine IR for legacy devices with RF or Bluetooth for newer smart devices, or pair with a companion smartphone app for extended control. This hybrid approach lets manufacturers blend the best of both worlds — legacy compatibility and modern convenience.

Beyond Traditional Remotes

Infrared isn’t limited to entertainment electronics. It shows up in home automation hubs, air conditioning systems , and even industrial remote systems where secure, short-range command transmission is suitable. The basic principle of transmitting coded commands via light remains effective in many applications because of its simplicity and predictable behavior.

Celadon’s Role in Remote Control Innovation

At Celadon, we understand the importance of choosing the right remote control technology for each application. Whether designing a system that prioritizes cost, range, compatibility, or integration with smart features, IR technology often plays a critical role — particularly where reliability and low-power operation matter most. Learn more about our approach to remote control solutions on our Celadon OEM Remote Control Solutions.

Contact Us

Celadon provides free consultation services to discuss any new Infrared, Radio Frequency, or custom product development projects. Please complete the Contact Us form on our website and a representative will contact you to discuss your project. https://celadon.com/contact-us/

You Want To Develop A Bluetooth® Remote Control Product?

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:30:10 GMT

Bluetooth® Declaration Fees: What They Are and Why They Matter

As more manufacturers design products around wireless connectivity, there’s a growing need to understand the compliance and licensing requirements that come with integrating Bluetooth functionality. One of the most commonly misunderstood parts of that process is the Bluetooth Declaration Fee.

Whether you're a product developer, an OEM, or a business evaluating your next-generation remote control or embedded solution, knowing how Bluetooth® licensing works can save you time, money, and compliance issues down the road. Here’s a clear breakdown of what Bluetooth® Declaration Fees are, why they exist, and how they affect your product development budget and schedule.

What Is a Bluetooth® Declaration Fee?

Any company creating a product that uses Bluetooth® wireless technology must be listed as a member of the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group (SIG) . Membership ensures that your product meets the established global standards that make Bluetooth® secure, reliable and interoperable with other Bluetooth® products.

Before a product utilizing Bluetooth® technology is introduced into the market, the manufacturer must submit a Product Declaration to the Bluetooth® SIG. This filing confirms that your device conforms to required specifications.

As part of this filing, companies must pay the Bluetooth® Declaration Fee , which currently ranges depending on membership level. More details can be found on the official Bluetooth SIG website :

This fee is not optional — it’s a required component of releasing a compliant Bluetooth®-enabled product to the global market.

Why Bluetooth® Declaration Fees Exist

Bluetooth® SIG maintains the global standards that ensure devices from different manufacturers seamlessly communicate. To do that, the organization invests in:

Innovation and development of the Bluetooth® technical standard
Interoperability testing and certification
Security updates
Global trademark management and protection

The declaration fee helps fund and sustain these efforts. Without it, the Bluetooth® ecosystem would lack the reliability and security consumers expect.

Who Needs to Pay the Fee?

Any company publicly selling a device that includes Bluetooth® functionality — even if they didn’t design the Bluetooth® module themselves — must pay the declaration fee once the product is ready to be released.

You need to pay the fee if:

You manufacture a product with integrated Bluetooth® technology
You private-label or rebrand another company’s Bluetooth®-based product
You modify an existing Bluetooth®-enabled design in a way that requires a new listing

This requirement applies whether you’re creating a standalone Bluetooth® device, adding Bluetooth® to a larger system, or developing an accessory that communicates wirelessly.

For additional clarity, Bluetooth® SIG provides an eligibility overview :

How Declaration Fees Affect Your Product Development Timeline

Understanding declaration fees early in the planning process helps manufacturers avoid surprises during the compliance phase. The declaration step typically comes near the end of product development, after testing and validation are complete.

Products cannot legally be sold utilizing Bluetooth® technology or using the Bluetooth® trademark or logo until the declaration has been filed and fees have been paid.

To avoid delays, many companies work with experienced integration partners — like Celadon — who can streamline the development and compliance process, ensuring everything is properly documented and filed.

It is important to note that in addition to Bluetooth® declaration fees, all radio frequency products must be tested and certified for electromagnetic compliance (EMC). Celadon would typically process Bluetooth® declaration filings at the conclusion of EMC testing and prior to the start of mass production.

How Celadon Helps Navigate Bluetooth® Compliance

Bluetooth® compli ance can be complicated, especially for companies producing their first connected device. Celadon brings more than three decades of remote control, embedded system, and wireless device expertise, helping organizations move through product development smoothly and cost-effectively.

Our engineering teams work with clients from concept through certification, ensuring compliance with Bluetooth® SIG requirements while optimizing performance, cost, and manufacturability.

Here are a few relevant Celadon services you can explore:

Custom Remote Control Solutions

Custom Tooling & Product Development Support

When Bluetooth is part of your design, we help ensure your device is qualified, documented, and ready for market — without unnecessary delays or compliance issues.

Tips for Managing Bluetooth® Declaration Costs

Bluetooth® declaration fees are a fixed cost of bringing a product to market, but strategic planning helps minimize unnecessary expenses. A few best practices include:

Plan compliance early . Add certification checkpoints into your development workflow.
Avoid redundant filings . Reusing qualified designs can reduce the need for additional declarations.
Choose the right module or chipset . Pre-qualified modules can streamline the process.
Partner with an experienced developer. Engineering teams familiar with Bluetooth SIG requirements can prevent costly mistakes.

Celadon regularly advises clients on Bluetooth® integration strategies that reduce development time and keep total development costs predictable. If your next project involves Bluetooth® or other wireless technologies, Celadon is here to help guide the process from design through qualification. With the right partner, Bluetooth® compliance becomes a smooth, efficient part of bringing your product to life.

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Technology Spotlight: Supercapacitors as “Batteries” with USB Charging

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:45:58 GMT

If you’ve ever wished your handheld device could top-off in minutes instead of hours, supercapacitors (also called EDLCs) deserve a look. While they aren’t drop-in replacements for every lithium battery, pairing supercapacitors with USB-C Power Delivery (USB-PD) opens up fast, repeatable charging for custom remotes, receivers, industrial handhelds, and other embedded products—without sacrificing longevity or safety.

Supercapacitors 101 (and how they differ from batteries)

Traditional rechargeable batteries store energy through chemical reactions. Supercapacitors store energy electrostatically across extremely large surface-area electrodes separated by an electrolyte. The result: very high power density and extraordinary cycle life—often in the hundreds of thousands to over a million charge/discharge cycles—along with inherently robust behavior under abuse compared to many chemistries. They trade that power and durability for lower energy density, so they’re best when you need short bursts of power or quick top-offs rather than all-day energy.

Why pair supercapacitors with USB-C power delivery?

USB-C PD has quietly become the world’s most universal power handshake. A PD-capable source and sink negotiate voltage and current profiles, enabling standardized levels such as 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V (and, in the latest spec, even higher EPR levels) at currents up to 5A—while maintaining cable and device safety checks. For product teams, this means you can fast-charge a supercapacitor bank from an off-the-shelf USB-C brick instead of a proprietary adapter.

Practical advantages in handheld and embedded products

Rapid top-off: Supercapacitors accept charge quickly, so a device that periodically docks to a USB-C port during a shift can be “always ready,” even with brief connection windows.
Extreme cycle life: Where batteries eventually fade, supercapacitors maintain performance across very high cycle counts—ideal for gear that charges frequently.
Thermal & safety profile: Supercapacitors avoid the thermal-runaway risks associated with certain battery chemistries, which simplifies mechanical design and risk analysis in many use cases.
Maintenance and TCO: Long life and simple charge control can reduce field replacements and total cost of ownership in applications requiring short runtimes or burst power.

Design trade-offs to plan for

Energy density: Supercapacitors store less energy per volume than lithium batteries, so your run-time per charge will be shorter unless you allocate more space to the energy store. Consider duty cycle and sleep budgets early in the spec.
Voltage droop: Capacitor voltage falls linearly with discharge. You’ll likely need a DC-DC stage to provide a regulated rail to your electronics across the entire usable range. (Good news: low ESR means that stage can source high pulses without sag.)
Charging profile: PD gives you standardized power “rungs,” but your charge controller must respect inrush, current limits, and USB-PD negotiation timing. Selecting 5V vs 9/15V affects thermal design and charge time.

Architecture snapshot: USB-C PD + supercap bank

A common pattern we design around looks like this:

USB-C PD front end negotiates an appropriate PDO (e.g., 5V/1A).
Charge/current-limit stage shapes inrush and manages constant-current charging into the supercap bank.
DC-DC regulator (buck/boost) delivers a stable system rail (e.g., 3.3V/5V) and optional peak-power bursts for radios, haptics, IR/RF power amps, or LEDs.
Supercap stack & balancing ensure each cell stays within its rating (2.7–3.0V per cell is typical for EDLCs; 3.0V-rated parts are now available for better headroom).

Where supercapacitors shine

Burst-power handhelds: Custom IR/RF remote controls with high-intensity IR LEDs or short RF transmit bursts.
Always-on-dock tools: Devices that intermittently return to a cradle or USB-C port (factory testers, kiosks, demo remotes).
Backup/ride-through: Micro-UPS functions that bridge brief mains dropouts or hot-swap events.
Cold-start environments: Wide operating temperatures and low ESR help maintain pulse capability where batteries struggle.

When batteries still win

If your product must run for many hours far from a charger—or sit on a shelf for months—traditional rechargeable batteries (or a hybrid supercap + battery pack) may be a better fit. Batteries have higher energy density and lower self-discharge, so they retain charge longer in storage. A hybrid approach can combine long run-time with supercap-driven pulse power and fast top-offs.

How Celadon helps you choose (and build) the right path

Every product and use case is unique. Our team can evaluate your application, typical usage, enclosure constraints, certification targets, and supply chain realities to recommend the best energy-storage architecture—supercaps, batteries, or a hybrid—then design and manufacture it end-to-end.

Why Celadon: https://www.celadon.com/why-celadon

Custom Tooling: https://www.celadon.com/custom-tooling

PCB Development: https://www.celadon.com/pcb-development

Contact us: https://www.celadon.com/contact

External references (for further reading)

Eaton: Key differences between supercapacitors and batteries: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/electronic-components/topics/supercapacitors-vs-batteries.html

Adafruit Learn: USB-PD “Things to Know”: https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-pd-hacks/things-to-know

Vishay (PDF): 3V EDLCs deliver longer useful life: https://www.vishay.com/docs/28578/_3vedlcsdeliverlongeruseflife.pdf

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Product Labeling Requirements for Custom RF Remote Controls: What Engineers Need to Know

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:02:42 GMT

When you’re bringing a radio frequency (RF) OEM remote contro l to market—whether it’s a Bluetooth® remote, proprietary RF hand unit, or a hybrid IR/RF controller—labeling is more than a cosmetic decision. It’s a compliance task that touches EMC certification, safety standards, environmental directives, trademark licensing, and supply‑chain traceability. Getting it wrong can get shipments stuck in customs or trigger costly rework. This guide distills the essentials for RF remote control labeling across major markets and highlights design‑for‑labeling practices used at Celadon for OEM remote control projects.

EMC regulatory marks by region

United States ( FCC ) . Most RF remotes are considered to be “intentional radiators” and subject to FCC Part 15 requirements. Many RF receivers are considered to be “digital devices” and are subject to different requirements.

Intentional radiators must display an FCC ID number and include the Part 15 compliance statement in user info; very small devices may use e-labeling if accessibility rules are met. Reserve space for the FCC ID on the housing or, if you qualify, implement an e‑label path in firmware and document it in the manual. “Digital Devices” may use the FCC logo on the product label.

Canada ( ISED ). Canada requires the ISED certification number formatted as “ IC: XXXXXX-YYYYYYYY ” along with related user statements. Plan label real estate for the IC number in addition to the FCC ID on shared North American SKUs.

European Union (CE/RED + WEEE ) . For radio equipment, the CE mark is applied to the product label after RED (Radio Emissions Directive) testing is completed. Electronic equipment must also carry the WEEE logo (a crossed‑out wheeled bin symbol), which is used for electronic waste and recycling initiatives. The EU has both mandatory and voluntary markings for products sold within the European Union.

United Kingdom ( UKCA ). For Great Britain market pla ce ment, apply the UKCA mark with a UK Declaration of Conformity analogous to the EU DoC. If you ship into both the EU and GB, reserve an area for CE + UKCA marks or use market‑specific product labels.

Japan ( MIC/TELEC ). Radios require MIC/TELEC conformity with specific marking rules on prominence and visibility. Coordinate early with your certification lab to confirm exact mark formatting and location.

Australia/New Zealand (ACMA) The RCM marking is used on products to consolidate EMC, radio/telecoms and, where applicable, electrical safety. Labels must be legible, visible, durable, and at least 3 mm high; e‑labeling is possible in limited cases with packaging/documentation fallbacks.

Product Label Examples

Environmental & battery labeling

For EU sales, apply the WEEE symbol on the product label. If the remote includes a replaceable battery, be aware that the EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) phases in expanded labeling (capacity, chemical symbols where applicable) and QR‑code access to battery information starting in the coming years, depending on category.

Country‑of‑origin & trade markings

For U.S. imports, country of origin marking (e.g., “Made in Korea”) is generally required on the article (or its container) and must be conspicuous, legible , and as permanent as the nature of the article permits. Consider consolidating COO placement with other regulatory and brand markings on the product label to avoid additional labeling variants.

Material & durability standards for labels

If you use adhesive labels/nameplates for safety or compliance info, select constructions recognized under UL 969 (Marking & Labeling Systems) for durability—legibility, adhesion, temperature and chemical resistance. While not a legal mark, UL 969 is referenced by many end‑product standards and is a proven way to avoid smearing or lift‑off in the field.

Licensed technology marks

If your OEM remote control touts Bluetooth® or USB‑C/ USB4 capabilities, you cannot freely place those logos. The Bluetooth name or logo require SIG membership, completed qualification testing, applicable fees, and adherence to brand guidelines. The USB‑I F also requires passing compliance testing, registration fees and has strict usage rules on where and how the mark appears on USB products

Design‑for‑labeling: Mechanical & Artwork Suggestions

Reserve physical real estate early. In the design stage, model a label recess or smooth area enough space and adequate contrast for regulatory compliance, safety, environmental and trademark graphics.

Plan for SKU variants. If selling into multiple countries or regions like EU, GB, US/CA, AU/NZ, and JP, consider either (a) a global back label with all marks, or (b) regional label versions to minimize crowding.

• Serials & traceability. Include model number, revision code, lot/date code, and scannable 2D or QR codes aligned to your MES/RMA process.

• Surface & process. On textured housings, laser etch or in‑mold labels (IML) often outperforms ink. Where adhesive is required, specify a UL 969 compliant material for labels to be attached to plastic. Screen printing on a painted surface or a lightly textured surface is also a common and cost effective manner of adding compliance markings to a product.

• Manuals & packaging . Put any RF statements that don’t fit on the device into the manual and ensure packaging carries required marks where e‑labels are used.

Label content checklist for RF remotes

1) Regulatory: USA - FCC ID number; Part 15 statement (manual); Canada - ISED marking; European Union - CE marking + RED (EU DoC maintained); United Kingdom - UKCA marking (UK DoC); Japan - MIC/TELEC marking with ID; Australia/New Zealand RCM marking .

2) Environmental: WEEE symbol on product; battery markings per EU Battery Regulation (QR code where in scope).

3) Trade: Country of origin on device or container for U.S. import.

4) Licensed Technology: Bluetooth® and/or USB logos only if qualified and licensed.

5) Durability: Label constructions per UL 969 and tested against cleaners/temperature profile.

How Celadon helps

As a manufacturer of custom remote control products for more than 30 years, Celadon has a tremendous amount of experience with both mechanical design and electronic design, as well as EMC certification and regulatory marking requirements.

Celadon works closely with its customers to understand the product functionality and countries that the product will be marketed in, which allows us to make recommendations and suggestions for various product labeling options and marking requirements.

Designers will make suggestions on the appropriate size and location for compliance markings. Concept labels are provided for customer review and can be submitted for EMC, Safety, Product Qualification and other required testing. Celadon will work closely with customers in all aspects of the testing and certification process to ensure that products will meet all necessary requirements and copies of all test reports will be provided for recordkeeping purposes

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How To Choose Between Bluetooth ® and Proprietary RF Chipsets for a New Custom Remote Control Product - Celadon

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:19:44 GMT

The right radio technology is critical when manufacturing your custom remote control device. When choosing between Bluetooth® and proprietary RF chipsets, each have unique strengths and trade-offs. This article helps you decide which is best for your next custom remote control product. Always know that Celadon representatives are standing by to help you determine what the best choice for your project might be.

Understanding Wireless Options

Bluetooth® is an open-standard wireless protocol managed by the Bluetooth ® Special Interest Group. It offers:

Bluetooth® Overview

Standardized Profiles for audio, data, and mesh networking
Interoperability with other bluetooth enabled devices.
Built-in Security with pairing and encryption
Broad Ecosystem of chips and mobile device support: Bluetooth SIG Specifications

Proprietary RF Overview

Proprietary RF refers to custom radio protocols designed for specific applications. Key points include:

Customized Functionality to optimize for specific applications (Range, Data, etc.)
Unique Frequency Bands to avoid congestion
No Licensing Fees allow for lower development and unit cost.

Key Comparison Factors

Range and Coverage

Bluetooth® : Typically up to 100 m in open air (Class 1 devices), but real-world range often closer to 10–30 m indoors.
Proprietary RF : Can be tuned for long-range (hundreds of meters to several kilometers) by selecting lower frequencies and custom antennas.

Power Consumption

Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) : Optimized for battery-powered devices with sleep modes and short wake intervals.
Proprietary RF : Power usage varies; custom protocols can be ultra-low power

Data Throughput and Latency

Bluetooth® : BLE offers up to ~2 Mbps in Bluetooth 5.x, with typical latencies of 7–10 ms.
Proprietary RF : Throughput and latency fully configurable—ideal for applications needing ultra-low latency or very high speeds.

Interference and Reliability

Bluetooth® : Uses adaptive frequency hopping to mitigate interference in crowded 2.4 GHz bands.
Proprietary RF : Can employ narrowband channels in sub-GHz bands (e.g., 433 MHz or 915 MHz) for cleaner spectrum and better building penetration.

Security Considerations

Bluetooth ® : Mature security model with pairing, bonding, and AES-128 encryption.
Proprietary RF : Various levels of security available, depending on the protocol

Typical Use Cases

When to Choose Bluetooth ®

Consumer Electronics that need easy pairing with phones or tablets ( Interoperability )
Mesh Networks for smart lighting or building automation
Short-range Data Streams such as sensor telemetry or audio streaming

When to Choose Proprietary RF

Dedicated Remote Controls that do need to be compatible with phones or tablets
Industrial or Agricultural Equipment requiring kilometer-scale range
Environments with High RF Congestion (sub-GHz channels avoid the 2.4 GHz crowd)
Applications Needing Custom Features like ultra-low latency motor control

Explore our custom RF remote control options on our OEM remote control page .

Design and Integration Considerations

Regulatory Compliance : All radio products must be certified for the country of use. Some Bluetooth ® and Proprietary RF modules are “pre-certified”.
Development Time : Bluetooth ® benefits from off-the-shelf stacks; proprietary RF may require longer R&D.
Bluetooth SIG requires a “Qualification Fee” for each unique product that uses Bluetooth technology. Fee is currently $11,040
Scalability : Consider whether you’ll need future firmware over-the-air updates, mesh expansions, or multi-device pairing.

Final Thoughts

Both Bluetooth ® and proprietary RF have valid roles in wireless control. If you need device interoperability, strong ecosystem support, and standardized security, Bluetooth ® is often the right choice. If your project demands bespoke performance—whether in range, unique functionality, or latency—a proprietary RF solution designed by Celadon’s engineering team will deliver.

Celadon can provide all of the necessary hardware and software design services to develop, certify and manufacture a custom remote control to meet your specific needs.

Why Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Radiated Emissions for Custom Remote Control Systems Are Important Manufacturing Considerations. - Celadon

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:19:46 GMT

In today’s interconnected world, ensuring that electronic devices coexist without interfering with one another is paramount. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) addresses this challenge by defining how equipment should limit its own electromagnetic emissions and tolerate emissions from other sources. For manufacturers of custom remote control systems—like Celadon Inc.—designing for robust EMC performance isn’t just good practice; it is a regulatory requirement.

What Is EMC?

EMC is the discipline concerned with both emission and immunity of electronic devices in a shared electromagnetic environment.

Emissions refer to the unintentional generation and release of electromagnetic energy by a device, either through its circuitry (conducted emissions) or radiated into space (radiated emissions).
Immunity (or susceptibility) is the device’s ability to continue functioning correctly when exposed to external electromagnetic interference (EMI).
By balancing emission control and immunity enhancement, EMC ensures that multiple devices can operate side-by-side without mutual disruption ( Wikipedia ).

Conducted vs. Radiated Emissions

Conducted Emissions travel along power and signal lines. In remote controls, these can be generated by switching regulators, microcontrollers, or key-scan circuits. Without proper filtering (e.g., feed-through capacitors or LC filters), these emissions can travel back into a system’s power bus and disrupt other equipment.

Radiated Emissions escape from cables, enclosures, or PCB traces and propagate through free space. Even low-power handheld remotes can radiate unintended signals at harmonics of their operating frequencies if trace routing and enclosure design aren’t optimized.

Mitigating both types of emissions typically involves:

Filtering: Ferrite beads and capacitors on power lines to suppress conducted noise.
Shielding: Metal or conductive coatings on enclosures to contain radiated energy.
PCB Layout Best Practices: Short trace lengths for high-speed signals, proper grounding, and controlled impedance routing to minimize loop areas.

Regulatory Standards and Testing

Most regions mandate compliance with specific EMC standards before a product can be sold. These standards vary from country to country, but generally follow standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IEC publishes standards for radiated emissions, radiated immunity, electrostatic discharge and other conditions.

Most countries have their own EMC test standards that must be met though standardized testing, documentation and certification.

United States (FCC): The FCC’s EMC Division provides guidelines and measurement procedures for both conducted and radiated emissions testing. Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance under Part 15 of the FCC rules to obtain equipment authorization ( Federal Communications Commission ).
Canada (ISED): Canadian EMC certification is regulated by the Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to ensure RF devices comply with Canadian technical standards.
Europe (CE): The European Union uses the CE mark to indicate EMC Compliance under the Radiated Emissions Directive (RED). All products sold in the European Union must have a CE mark on the product label.

Testing is typically carried out in specialized facilities using:

Anechoic Chambers or Open-Area Test Sites (OATS) for radiated emissions.
Line Impedance Stabilization Networks (LISNs) for conducted emissions measurements.

A thorough EMC test plan includes both pre-compliance checks (in-house) and final compliance tests (accredited labs) to identify and resolve issues early in development.

Design for EMC: Celadon’s Approach

At Celadon Inc, EMC is integrated into every phase of our custom remote control development process:

Conceptual Design & PCB Layout

We collaborate with clients to define performance and emission targets.
Our engineers apply best-practice PCB layout techniques—such as split ground planes and decoupling strategies—to control high-frequency currents.

Filtering & Circuit Protection

Critical interfaces (e.g., power inputs, sensor lines) are fitted with EMI filters and transient suppressors to guard against conducted noise and electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Our firmware teams optimize microcontroller clocking and scanning routines to avoid generating harmonics in sensitive bands.

Pre-Compliance Testing

Celadon can provide pre-compliance testing for quick validation of conducted and radiated emissions. Early detection of EMC issues saves time and cost compared to late-stage fixes.

Final Compliance & Certification

We coordinate full compliance testing at accredited EMC laboratories, guiding clients through the FCC, CE, or other regional certification processes. Celadon will provide clients with test reports, Declaration of Compliance (DoC) Templates, and other necessary documentation for EMC compliance.

By embedding EMC considerations into our OEM Remote Control Products ( Celadon ) and custom solutions, Celadon ensures that every remote control system not only meets functional requirements but also coexists harmoniously in its intended electromagnetic environment.

These Are the Official 2025 Best of CES Winners, Awarded by CNET Group

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:19:48 GMT

CNET, Mashable, PCMag, ZDNET and Lifehacker scoured miles of booths and exhibits, then debated and handpicked the best new products of CES 2025.

The biggest names in tech are gathered in Las Vegas this week to show off their new products and entice the world with solutions to some of our biggest problems -- and we get to choose the winners.

CES 2025 has brought big innovations, outrageous concepts and impressive solutions to issues including sustainability, privacy, security and wellness. To find the very best among them, the CNET Group -- made up of sibling sites CNET, ZDNET, PCMag, Mashable and Lifehacker -- teamed up with the CTA as the official media partner of the Best of CES Awards. Based entirely on the input of our staff experts and editors, we've named the top products and services at CES and awarded them with the distinction of Best of CES.

To be eligible, a product or service must be an exhibitor at CES 2025 and meet at least one of the following criteria:

Includes a compelling new concept or idea
Solves a major consumer problem
Is new or is an update to an existing product that sets a new bar in performance or quality

Nominees were submitted by CNET Group's editorial staff, with finalists voted on by a panel of editors in attendance at CES 2025. Here are the winners.

Best AI: Nvidia Cosmos AI model

This could be the AI platform that enables innovators at CES for years to come. Cosmos is what Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called "the world's first world foundation model," a previously missing link that will allow robots and autonomous vehicles to become much more capable.

The problem it solves is that robots need a vast amount of training data to make them more useful. Cosmos can simulate that data with AI, taking digital models of roads, factories, homes and other physical spaces and transforming them into simulations that innovators can use to create the robots of tomorrow.

Cosmos will likely run a lot faster on Nvidia chips. Nevertheless, we have to give Nvidia credit for its intention to open-source the Cosmos code and make it available on Github, as Huang announced in his keynote.

Runner-up: Gemini for Google TV

Best transportation or mobility: Honda 0 Series

Honda 0 Series

James Martin/CNET

Straight out of a science-fiction movie, Honda's futuristic-looking electric vehicles are slated to reach North America by 2026 and will be manufactured on Honda's new battery platform in Ohio. The company claims the cars' thin battery will be able to charge rapidly in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.

The 0 Series will be powered by a new artificial intelligence chip and the Asimo OS to deliver Level 3 self-driving (capable of taking full control and operating during select parts of a journey) after launch.

Despite the prototype nature of the cars on hand in Las Vegas, Honda says the final designs will be close to what it showed. Pricing and other details are still to be determined, but this marks an exciting step forward for Honda and its EV program.

Runner-up: BMW Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X

Best laptop: Asus Zenbook A14

The Asus Zenbook A14 blends a long-lasting battery and some unexpected features in a portable design. Its light-but-rigid Ceraluminum chassis has the durability of aluminum with the scratch-resistance of ceramic and is 100% recyclable.

A Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor gives it Copilot Plus PC powers like AI summarization and text generation, intuitive photo editing and the ability to search your media with natural language. A rich collection of ports (including USB-C and HDMI 2.1) and wireless connections are complemented by cool touches like tap-and-slide touchpad controls for volume, brightness and track selection.

Its OLED display looks gorgeous, its battery promises more than 30 hours of use and the whole thing weighs less than 2.2 pounds, making it the thinnest and lightest Copilot Plus PC yet. The X Elite model we saw launches next week for $1,099, with a Snapdragon X Plus model coming in March for $899.

Runner-up: Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

Best TV or home theater: LG G5 OLED TV

Of all the TVs we've seen this year at CES, the LG G5 looks the best -- literally. OLED technology powers the highest-quality screens on the market, and our experts agree this LG is the front-runner for best TV picture quality in 2025.

LG says it's 40% brighter and has better contrast in bright lighting compared to its predecessor the G4, which was one of the best TVs of 2024. LG improved the remote and kept the sleek gallery design for an almost all-picture look.

The company's M5 wireless TV has the same image quality but will be a lot more expensive because it uses wireless connection technology that most buyers don't need.

Runner-up: Hisense 116UX

CES 2025: We Still See These 35 Products When We Close Our Eyes

See all photos

Best smart home or home tech: Roborock Saros Z70

Finally, a robot that can pick up after us. This vacuum-mop hybrid can sense, pick up and put away your stray socks using its mechanical arm, marking an industry shift from object avoidance technology to object removal technology.

Unlike so many grabby robots we've seen at CES over the years, this one is real, successful and actually coming to market, with a release slated for April this year. We spent hours watching it work in a live demonstration. At 22,000 Pa of suction, the Saros Z70 will be more powerful than almost any other modern robovac.

It'll also be more expensive: Roborock teased a price around the $2,000 mark, making it undoubtedly a high-end luxury appliance. But we expect it to pave the way for a new (eventually cheaper) generation of robot vacuums that offer do-everything-for-me cleaning, and that's exciting to think about. Welcome back, Rosey from The Jetsons.

Runner-up: BioLite Complete

Best sustainability: Flint Paper Battery

A battery made out of... paper? Singaporean startup Flint claims it has created a more sustainable, affordable and scalable solution to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

The key component is cellulose, which acts as a natural medium for ion transfer between the anode and cathode. They're fully flexible and can be shrunk down to the size of a coin battery or embedded in a smartwatch strap. And when they're done being used, they decompose in six weeks.

In early January, Flint secured $2 million in seed funding to run a pilot project this year, one step closer to a dream of sparing the Earth from the mining and drilling for finite lithium.

Best gaming: Lenovo Legion Go S

The Lenovo Legion Go S stands out among current and upcoming gaming handhelds for its operating system and what it could mean for the entire category.

While it'll be available with Windows 11, Lenovo will also offer a version with Valve's SteamOS, making it the only non-Valve-built portable to officially run SteamOS. That's big news for anyone looking for a Steam Deck alternative.

The Legion Go S lacks the larger Legion Go's detachable controllers and has a smaller, lower-resolution screen, but it has a few helpful design tweaks like two USB 4 ports on the top, Hall Effect joysticks and an interior with more workspace for upgrading the storage. The Go S will also be the cheapest Legion Go device when it ships in May, starting at just $600.

Best wellness or fitness tech: Ozlo Sleepbuds

Ozlo Sleepbuds aren't just comfortable earbuds for sleeping -- they can actually help you get a better night's sleep.

They're designed to be flush with your ear, which means you can sleep on your side without feeling them pressing into you. That also prevents them from falling out of your ear.

Sleep-enhancing perks include biometric sensors in the earbuds that can track your sleep, sensors in the case that can identify potential sleep interruptions in your room, an in-ear alarm that won't wake up a sleeping partner and a 10-hour battery life, so you won't wake up to a dead battery notification.

You can even play sound directly from the Sleepbuds, without connecting to another Bluetooth device, which means you won't even have to look at your phone before going to bed.

Runner-up: YoctoMat

Best mobile: HMD OffGrid

The vast majority of phones are essentially useless without a cell signal. That's where HMD's new OffGrid accessory comes in. The $200 dongle lets any Android phone or iPhone send text messages and contact emergency services by connecting to satellite networks.

A few recent phones like the iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9 come equipped with satellite connectivity, but most consumers only upgrade their phones when their current device breaks or needs replacing, so this accessory gives older phones the ability to constantly stay connected -- which could be life-saving in some cases. The catch is that you'll have to subscribe to HMD's monthly service, which starts at $80 a year.

Runner-up: TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper

Best privacy or security: Ultraloq Bolt Mission

The Ultraloq Bolt Mission is the most impressive and secure smart lock we've seen to date. It's also the first smart lock to come to market to support ultrawideband technology, giving it the capability to sense your location within inches as well as the spatial awareness to know if you're inside or outside your door. It's truly hands-free unlocking, similar to keyfobs on cars.

As backups, it also offers NFC for tap-to-unlock entry, and it has a keypad and a traditional key mechanism as well. It includes 128-bit AES data encryption, IP65 weather resistance and BHMA Level 1-certified durability. It supports Wi-Fi, Matter, Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings. Perhaps best of all, it has a battery life of up to one year.

Runner-up: Lockly Prestige Duet Series

Best weird tech: Kirin Electric Salt Spoon

There was no dearth of surprising technological applications at CES 2025, but the booth that got everyone's attention was hands-down the Kirin Electric Salt Spoon. This rather large spoon sends an electric current to your tongue to make your food taste saltier.

The idea is noble: Get food to taste better without adding unnecessary sodium to your diet. The solution is downright unexpected. In our taste test, we were able to detect a slight difference, but from what we heard from others who tried the demo, the results varied. This one is already available for sale -- in Japan. It should come to North America this year.

Best overall: Nvidia Cosmos AI model

This choice was clear: Nvidia Cosmos demonstrates the biggest and boldest ambition we've seen at CES 2025 for how technology could help people and communities in the years ahead. While Nvidia is known for its computer chips, Cosmos is a software platform that taps generative AI to fill the biggest gap keeping robots from becoming more useful.

As Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says, "In order to train a robot, you need a lot of data," and that's what Cosmos promises to create. There are already signs of its future influence: Huang announced a partnership with Toyota, the world's biggest car manufacturer, that will use the program's advances to build next-gen self-driving cars.

We're excited to see which companies -- large and small -- will be next to take the leap, using Cosmos to solve big problems and create new products that weren't possible until now.

Help, I Need a Custom Remote Control for My Product! (Part 3)

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:20:20 GMT

Material Procurement

Now that the final engineering samples have been approved, development is considered to be complete. The final stage of the product development process is manufacturing. The standard lead time for the production custom remote control products is 4-8 weeks. The majority of this time is sourcing materials for the final assembly process. Plastic resin is injected into steel molds to create the plastic enclosures for the remote control. Colored silicone sheets are used to create custom rubber keypads. Electronic components like microcontrollers, capacitors, resistors, and LEDs are ordered from suppliers and will be used for PCB assembly.

Incoming Quality Control and Inspection

All of Celadon’s production facilities are ISO 9001 certified ( https://www.iso.org/standard/62085.html ) to ensure consistency and quality for all products. Initially, all of the production materials that are delivered to our factory will go through a Incoming Quality Control (IQC) inspection. These parts are then inspected and compared against the approved specifications and sample components. Colors are verified using color books ( https://www.pantone.com/color-systems/for-graphic-design ) or approved samples, while plastic parts are inspected for defects and consistency. Materials that pass our IQC process will be allowed into the manufacturing area and materials that do not pass will be quarantined and will then returned to the vendor for reworking or replacement, depending on the nature of the failure.

PCB Assembly

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are fabricated and electronic components are placed on the boards through an automated process using pick and place machines, automatic optical inspection (AOI), and finally a solder reflow oven. The microcontroller on the PCBA can be either programmed on a specialized firmware programming fixture or be programmed after final assembly. However, all printed circuit boards will go through an In-Circuit Testing (ICT) process to verify the components on the boards are functioning properly.

Final Assembly, Testing and Shipping

Final assembly is performed at our factory on an assembly line. Each station is responsible for the various stages of assembly ranging from initially inserting the PCBA into the enclosure, placing the rubber keypad on top of the PCBA and then attaching the top case. All products are tested using an electronic test fixture to insure they are functioning properly. All products are also visually inspected to insure they meet all cosmetic requirements. Our Quality Control (QC) staff is responsible for testing and maintaining all inspection records. Depending on the packaging requirements, finished product will be packed in gift boxes, clam shells or standard bulk packaging. Products shipping by ocean freight will be palletized and products shipping via air freight will typically ship in export cartons. Product can ship to any global location utilizing our network of freight fowarders and incoterms ( https://www.trade.gov/know-your-incoterms ) ranging from FOB Korea to DDP can be accomodated.

Contact Us

Help, I Need a Custom Remote Control for My Product! (Part 2)

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 12:20:18 GMT

In this post, we will discuss the process of developing a custom hospitality remote control by utilizing a standard remote control enclosure. This will include product requirements, specifications, things to consider, project milestones, and the final deliverables. All of the standard Celadon remote control and receiver enclosures can be found at: https://celadon.com/oem-products/

Developing a custom hospitality remote control for your product can be a daunting task. Working with a competent partner with years of experience in developing and manufacturing remote controls can make all of the difference between a successful product and a failure.

Celadon has been producing custom remote control and receiver systems for more than 30 years and has more than 50 different standard remote control and receiver enclosures. These standard models can be easily customized for a variety of applications. Utilizing a standard enclosure for a new remote control project can help to dramatically reduce development time by several months and development costs by tens of thousands of dollars, since the industrial design, mechanical design and tooling fabrication development stages can be skipped entirely.

Define Product Requirements and Specifications

The first consideration in developing a custom hospitality remote control is to compile a list of product requirements. Product requirements should include items like:

How many buttons/functions are required?

Should the remote have a smaller or larger form factor?

Will the product be used indoors or outdoors?

Will the remote control a single device (dedicated remote) or control multiple products?

What is the maximum transmission distance between the remote and the receiver?

Once these requirements are determined, specifications can be determined and a number of enclosures can be selected. For example, we might consider the following specifications:

The remote shall have 12 button and the form factor should be small to mid-size.
The enclosure shall be black plastic with high-contrast artwork on the keypad and overlay.
The product shall control a set-top box via IR communication (protocol TBD)
The remote shall include a universal code library for control of LG and Samsung hospitality TVs.
The functions shall include POWER, VOLUME, MUTE, NAVIGATION, BACK and MENU
The product will be used indoors and have a maximum transmission distance of 25-30 feet.

Select an OEM Remote Model

From these specifications, one can review the various standard enclosures available and determine which models are most appropriate for the application. Based on the short list of specifications, we might suggest one of the following remote control models:

All three of these models will meet the product requirements, but each model has unique features. The SH-15A (left image) has a rubber keypad with up to 15 buttons and uses metal domes for a stronger tactile feeling. A keypad overlay is used to remove unnecessary buttons and label the functions of the remaining buttons. The SC-24 (center image) uses a membrane keypad with a 3-column matrix. The key layout can be modified by removing domes from the membrane keypad. Membrane keypads provide less tactile feedback, but can be easily cleaned and are commonly used for medical or hospitality products. The SC-33 (right image) has a maximum of 33 buttons, which provides many different key layouts and function grouping options.

Artwork Proof and Code Table Documents

All of these models can be molded in different colors and designed to have specific button colors, as well as text and icons printed on either the keypad or overlay. An artwork proof will be prepared to define all of the cosmetic specifications for the remote control. Clients can specify particular colors for the keypad, overlay and plastic enclosure, typically by using Pantone colors. Specific font styles and sizes can also be selected for printing on the keypad, overlay, and plastic enclosure. A code table document would be prepared to define the IR protocol and HEX code values for each button. Details on setting the universal code libraries, setup features and all other functionality is also detailed in the Code Table document. An example of a code table and artwork proof for an IR remote control is

First Article Engineering (FAE) Samples

After the artwork proof and code table are approved, first article engineering (FAE) samples will be submitted for testing and manufacturing approval. It typically takes about 4-6 weeks for microcontroller programming, PCB fabrication, preparing plastic enclosures, rubber keypads, and keypad overlays to be created. Once all of the components are ready, the first article samples are assembled by skilled engineers and tested to ensure that the samples meet all of the cosmetic and functional product specifications.

Typically 3-5 FAE samples are sent to the customer for testing. This is the opportunity for the customer to thoroughly review the samples to ensure that they meet all of the product requirements. The samples should be tested against their equipment to confirm the IR protocol and all of the code functionality is working properly. If any items are found to be non-compliant, new samples will be created to ensure that all of the specifications are met. Occasionally, the FAE review process will drive specification changes. The changes could be major or minor, ranging from color changes, swapping buttons or functionality, or adding additional functionality. All specification changes will be reviewed and additional NRE charges for the requested changes might be required.

When the customer is ready to approve samples for mass production, the development process will be considered to be complete. The project manager or responsible party will be responsible for signing an engineering sample approval document. Once the final samples are approved, the manufacturing process will officially begin. The next blog post will explain the manufacturing process, shipping logistics, and delivery to the final destination.

Help, I Need a Custom Remote Control for My Product! (Part 1)

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:20:15 GMT

Developing and producing a custom remote control for a new product can be a daunting task. There are many different suppliers in the USA, Europe, and Asia with various capabilities, products and limitations. How do you determine what you need and what supplier you would like to work with? This is the first article of a series to help understand the world of remote controls, to better define product requirements, and explain the product development and production process.

Celadon is an OEM manufacturer of custom remote control and receiver products. Our products are split into three different categories, based on order quantity and customization options required for any given remote control or receiver project. Clearly defined product requirements and specifications will help to define which product category will most closely meet the client’s needs.

Fully Custom Products – New Plastic Tooling and PCB Development

For clients with unique product requirements or specific functionality, Celadon can design and fabricate custom injection molds to produce a unique remote control, receiver, or related product. Custom tooling is commonly used for applications where the remote control is the primary user interface and a specific design aesthetic or particular functionality is required. In some cases, a specific key layout or key size and shape is required. An LCD screen or USB port could be integrated into a new design. Celadon can provide industrial design and mechanical engineering services for custom tooling, work with our customer’s design team, or even refer our customers to local industrial designers for more advanced design support. Rapid prototyping technologies can be utilized to provide 3D printed samples for initial review and evaluation, before the start of tool fabrication. CAD drawings and 3D files will be supplied for final review and approval.

Along with the new enclosure, Celadon will design and produce the matching circuit board (PCB) for the new product. The PCB would be designed, using industry-standard practices, to provide the required functionality using components that are readily available and cost-effective. The circuit schematic and bill of material (BOM) will be shared with the customer for review and approval. The microcontroller (MCU) would be programmed to meet the product specifications and samples would be provided to the customer for final approval, before the start of mass production.

For radio frequency (RF) products, Celadon can provide EMC testing and certification through our lab partners in the USA and Korea for FCC, IC, CE, and other regulatory standards.

More information on custom tooling and PCB development can be found here: https://celadon.com/custom-tooling-pcb-development/

Here is an example of several different fully custom remote controls that we have produced for clients:

Semi-Custom OEM Remote Controls and Receivers

Our OEM product line has more than 50 different standard remote control and receiver enclosures. These products can all be customized, both by functionality and appearance, for a variety of applications. Most enclosures can support infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) transmission protocols, including Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave, LoRaWAN, Matter, NFC, Thread, or other proprietary protocols. Cosmetic customization options include different plastic colors, multiple keypad colors, printing text, icons, or other graphics, on the keypad, overlay, or plastic enclosure. A keypad overlay is used to label the functions of keys and mask off unused keys to create a custom key layout. A full list of customization options can be found for cosmetic design , functionality , and packaging on our website.

Our OEM receiver products range from simple external sensors to more sophisticated serial or USB devices. The transmission protocol (Infrared or Radio Frequency), cable length, and connector type can be specified, based on the product requirements. Custom product labels can be provided and artwork can be screen-printed on most enclosures.

For radio frequency (RF) products, Celadon can provide EMC testing and certification through our lab partners in the USA and Korea for FCC, IC, CE, and other regulatory standards. Most OEM products have a 1,000 unit minimum order quantity. All of our OEM remote control and receiver products can seen on our website here: https://celadon.com/oem-products/

Here is an example of various OEM versions of the SC-33 remote control:

Low Volume Remote Controls

Celadon has a small product line of “low volume products”, which are mostly pre-programmed remote control and receivers that have minimal customization options. All of the remote controls use a keypad overlay, which is a polyester or mylar label, and sits on the remote control’s surface and has holes cut out for the buttons that will be used on the remote control. The overlay allows for keypad customization, labeling the functions of the buttons used, as well as removing any unused buttons from the key layout. In most cases, the client would be responsible for “final assembly”, which would require cutting the unused rubber buttons from the keypad and attaching the overlay to the front of the remote control. Celadon can also provide final assembly services for a separate fee.

Our line of low volume receivers includes simple external receivers for decoding an IR signal (RCV-1000), IR to USB Receivers (RCV-3000), and IR to RS232 Receivers (RCV-5000).

All of our low volume remote control and receiver products do not have any minimum order quantity. Quantities as low as 1 can be purchase. All of our low volume products can be seen on our website here: https://celadon.com/low-volume-products/

Here are some examples of the BW-7070 remote control with a custom overlay:

Celadon has created a line of products for smaller volume requirements and semi-custom products, which can be easily adapted for a variety of applications, as well as resources to provide completely custom products. Celadon provides free consultation services to discuss any new Infrared, Radio Frequency, or custom product development projects.

Please complete the Contact Us form on our website and a representative will contact you. https://celadon.com/contact-us/

Project Spotlight – Slim Devices

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:20:13 GMT

Several years ago, we engaged with a startup in Mountain View, California called Slim Devices. They were a small consumer electronics manufacturer, developing a product that would stream MP3 files from a PC to a home theater. Slim Devices contracted with Celadon to design and manufacture a custom remote control for their new product called “SqueezeBox”. A review of the SqueezeBox can be found here: https://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/906slim/index.html

Slim Devices selected the SC33 remote control, since this OEM remote control model had a key layout that would work very well for their user interface. https://celadon.com/product/sc-33/ They were able to select an IR protocol that they were very comfortable using in the decoder of their device and provide the command table for the 29 functions that were to be enabled on the remote. They were also able to select the colors and graphics of the different buttons on the keypad, based on functionality, as well as select the font style and text that was to be printed on the keypad overlay. Once the product specifications were finalized, first article samples were prepared and submitted for validation testing and manufacturing approval. An example of the artwork proof is below:

After a few years, Slim Devices gained a large following with digital audio enthusiasts and their business grew considerably. They had decided to develop a newer version of the SqueezeBox digital audio player, as well as a high-end audiophile product and had decided to develop a new remote control enclosure to match their new products.

Based on successful business relationship, Slim Devices again chose to contract with Celadon to develop and manufacture their new custom remote control. Slim Devices was working with a local industrial designer for the look and feel of their new player, as well as the remote control. The designer provided Celadon with 3D concept renderings for the new remote control. The new remote control design had a high-end aesthetic, using a hot stamp foil on the top case, stylized rubber keypad and optional backlighting. This model would be manufactured in black and white, as well as with a backlit keypad for their audiophile product. Celadon provided mechanical design services for all of the internal features of the new plastic enclosure, rubber keypad and printed circuit board, as well as provided guidelines for tolerances between components, best manufacturing processes and material recommendations.

After the final design was approved by the customer, tooling fabrication and PCB development activities began. https://celadon.com/custom-tooling-pcb-development/ Within about 8 weeks, the first release of samples was provided for the customer to review. Functional remote samples were provided for the customer to test their software and make any necessary updates. Minor modifications were made to the molds to improve the keypad actuation and fit of the various components and final samples were provided to the customer for mass production approval.

Celadon values long term relationships with customers and prides itself on being a full service remote control manufacturer. Celadon can provide industrial, mechanical and electronic design services, as well as products for low volume and higher volume applications. For any project inquiries, please contact us for a free consultation. https://celadon.com/contact-us/

Global Semiconductor Shortages and the Outlook for 2024

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 12:20:11 GMT

Since the emergence of the pandemic some four years ago, the semiconductor and microchips industry has faced significant fluctuations worldwide, influenced primarily by factors such as supply chain disruptions and shifting consumer demands.

The global chip shortage served as a significant wake-up call, highlighting vulnerabilities in supply chains and forcing a re-evaluation of industry practices.

(Source: valerybrozhinsky - stock.adobe.com)

Despite these challenges, the industry has shown itself to be resilient and adapted to achieve a consistent growth rate. The global semiconductor market was valued at US$610.15 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach around US$736.40 billion by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6.30 %.

Remembering why the shortage happened

Let’s take a moment to recap why the semiconductor shortage happened before diving into what’s going on now and the outlook for the future.

First, the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for electronics as people worldwide shifted to working from home and sought entertainment through electronic devices. This surge in demand for laptops, gaming consoles, smartphones, and other devices increased the need for semiconductors.

The pandemic also caused significant disruptions in global supply chains. Semiconductor manufacturing is a complex process with a worldwide supply chain. Lockdowns and other restrictions affected manufacturing facilities and the supply of raw materials and components needed for semiconductor production.

Finally, semiconductor manufacturing is capital-intensive and requires years of planning and building. The industry was already running near total capacity before the pandemic, and expanding this capacity takes significant time and investment.

This was the perfect recipe for a significant shortage that nobody saw coming, leading to years of disruption that’s still felt in some areas today.

European Union and U.S. ‘Chips Acts’

In response to the shortage, the European Union and the U.S. have introduced legislative agendas designed to shore up and safeguard their domestic microchip production capacities in the long term.

The European Chips Act , announced in early 2022, is a comprehensive initiative by the European Union to boost the EU's competitiveness and resilience in the semiconductor sector. This will be achieved by:

Increasing production capacity.
Investing in R&D.
Facilitating collaboration between public and private entities.
Strengthening the semiconductor supply chain.
Introducing a regulatory framework for quicker and more coordinated responses to future crises.

Meanwhile, the U.S. CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) for America Act, enacted in 2022, aims to bolster the United States' competitiveness in the global semiconductor industry, much like its EU counterpart. However, the CHIPS Act has gone further by imposing new restrictions on exporting to China, leading to rising geopolitical tensions.

Current trends shaping the microchips industry

Rising interest rates, high inflation, lower consumer confidence, and stock market retreats have led to a drop in market capitalisation: The top 10 global chip companies’ combined market cap is down 34 % from US$2.9 trillion in November 2021 to US$1.9 trillion in November 2022 according to Deloitte .

Political conflicts and geopolitical tensions are also creating uncertainty. Russia is a significant supplier of raw materials commonly used in manufacturing electronics parts, and war sanctions have constrained that supply. Meanwhile, rising tensions between the U.S. and China in response to export restrictions mentioned earlier could further constrain supplies for Chinese manufacturers, many of whom supply goods to the West.

Despite this, the supply disruptions that the industry experienced between 2020 and 2022, and to some extent in 2023, are likely to continue improving on the back of growing fab capacity, which adds downward pressure on demand. That’s not to say that the shortage is completely over; disruption is still rife in the automotive industry.

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Development of Cu-Cu Joining Technology by Laser Welding

Supply chain issues aren’t over

Although the shortage began with the pandemic, supply chain issues are far from over. General demand continues to skyrocket as industries receive an influx of chip orders and manufacturers struggle to keep pace. Taiwan, South Korea, and China are able to combat the high production costs and lack of materials and are producing 90 % of their previous capacity.

Demand for consumer products dropped following the pandemic and led to an oversupply of NAND and DRAM memory chips. Many companies stockpiled these during the shortage to bolster their inventories. Inflation eventually increased and weakened the economy, thus slowing down chip sales. Samsung and SK Hynix both suffered operating losses in billions of dollars due to this oversupply.

On top of all this, as was widely reported in 2023, there’s currently a shortage of skilled technical workers. This is made worse by the fact that U.S. semiconductor firms take twice as long to hire technicians and engineers compared to other industries. Things aren’t much better in the EU.

Although both the U.S. and EU are vying to upskill the workforce by providing funding through their legislative efforts, long training, development, and hiring workflows will mean that it will be some time before relief is felt. Even then, it’s estimated that as many as three-fifths of all technical semiconductor industry jobs will remain unfilled by 2030

What is a “Low Volume Remote Control”?

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 12:20:10 GMT

Celadon offers a small product line of low volume remote controls and receivers. These are “off the shelf” products that can be easily customized for software development, prototyping and smaller volume applications below the standard minimum order quantity.

Many clients will use the low volume product line for beta testing or pilot production with the goal of transitioning to OEM production, after receiving user feedback and making any final design enhancements.

Each remote control in the low volume product line has unique features, but they can all transmit the NEC IR protocol, which is an industry standard code and can be decoded by all of the Celadon low volume receiver products. IR protocol information for each remote is available, if a customer chooses to use their own IR receiver and decoder.

All of the low volume remote control models that Celadon offers can be customized through the use of a keypad overlay. This is a polyester or mylar label that fits within a recessed area around the keypad of the remote control. The overlay can be used to mask off any unused buttons on the remote control to create a unique key layout. It would also be printed, using either a screen printing or digital printing process, with a background color and any preferred text, graphics and artwork to create a semi-custom remote control.

The final assembly process is as simple as removing any unused keys from the remote control and attaching the overlay to the front panel of the remote control. Typically, small cutters would be used to remove the majority of the keycap, so that it falls below the surface of the plastic enclosure. The overlay is reverse printed to protect the artwork and laminated with an adhesive layer to attach to the face of the remote control. Celadon can provide final assembly services or a customer might choose the perform this function themselves.

Project Spotlight – Philips Medical

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:20:09 GMT

Several years ago, we were approached by Philips Medical Systems to design and produce a semi-custom remote control that was to be used for a new Tele-Health initiative. The scope of the project was to develop an IR remote control that would communicate with their custom set-top box (STB), using an existing remote control enclosure. Philips has their own remote control manufacturing division, but their internal MOQ was too high for the new Philips Medical group project!

After some review, we found a standard enclosure that worked for their needs, but the customer determined that the keys were too small for seniors, who were their typical user. They wanted to have larger buttons with very high contrast and easy to see colors and artwork, in order to create a more intuitive and easy to use interface to their STB.

We proposed to take the existing remote control enclosure and make a new mold to create a new keypad, top case and overlay. This allowed the customer to provide their users with a remote control that included a custom keypad which met their user interface (UI) requirements with large buttons, high contrast artwork and easy to understand graphics. Additional undefined buttons were added to the design, which could easily be enabled through a modification to the keypad overlay.

Celadon engaged with the electronic engineer and graphic artist from Philips to create the initial design and finalize the product requirements. CAD drawings of the mechanical design for the new enclosure were supplied for review. Final product specifications were submitted for approval before tooling fabrication and printed circuit board (PCB) design and programming started. First article engineering (FAE) samples were supplied to the customer within about 8 weeks for testing and manufacturing approval.

Ocean Freight Shipping Lead-Times

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:27:31 GMT

I am happy to report good news from our freight forwarder. Ocean freight lead-times have come down from the Covid-19 highs of 12-16 weeks to a pre-Covid normal of 4-6 weeks . While the actual shipping time from Korea to Los Angeles is only 10-12 days, the great majority of the lead-time is unloading the containers, clearing customs and having the freight ready to release to the warehouse. Once the freight is received, we can generally turn the shipment around within a few days and ship to UPS, FedEx or a customer’s preferred carrier.

All shipments will be inspected for any damage that might have occurred during transportation from Korea. Any damaged cartons will be either repaired or repackaged.

All shipments also include a shipping mark on each carton that include pertinent order information like Customer, Part Number, PO Number and Quantity per Carton.

Bluetooth LE Pairing - Step by Step - Celadon

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 16:15:50 GMT

Understanding Bluetooth LE Pairing—Step by Step

Pairing is an important concept in Bluetooth LE. Let’s examine the fundamentals of Bluetooth LE pairing, outlining how LE devices securely share keys between trusted devices.

In an earlier article , we talked about Bluetooth LE's security keys. We learned that Bluetooth LE devices could make and share three distinct security keys: one for data encryption, another for creating a resolvable private address, and a third for data signing.

But perhaps you’ve wondered—how exactly does this key generation and distribution process occur among trusted devices?

The answer lies in the process known as pairing. This article will provide a step-by-step guide to understanding Bluetooth LE pairing.

Basics of Bluetooth LE Pairing

Think of pairing like a secret handshake between two Bluetooth LE devices. It's their way of building trust and creating a secure environment to exchange security keys safely.

Now, to really grasp what Bluetooth pairing involves, think about its goals. Essentially, they boil down to three points:

Distribute Key s: Both devices need to share specific keys, which enable important security features like encryption, data signing, and privacy. Pairing encrypts the communication link so these keys can be shared securely.
Guard Against Eavesdroppers : While swapping these keys (up to three types, actually), the pairing procedure must keep them safe from sneaky eavesdroppers who might try to snatch them mid-distribution.
Verify Identities : Sometimes, it might be necessary to check if the devices are who they say they are during pairing. This authentication helps defend against attacks like the infamous man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack.

So, if the pairing goes off without a hitch, what do the devices get out of it? Well, they can enjoy a connection with the following aspects:

Capable of data encryption to keep the communication confidential
Capable of data authentication, ensuring the data comes from a trusted source
Offers device authentication, confirming the identity of the devices
Provides device tracking protection, preventing unwanted tracking

Besides pairing, there’s another concept called' bonding. Bonding is like taking the trust between the paired devices to the next level. Bonding is the process where devices remember the security information exchanged during a successful pairing.

This means they can reconnect automatically in the future without needing to go through the pairing process all over again. It's kind of like making a new friend (pairing) and then remembering that friend for the future (bonding).

Bonding can save time, improve user experience, and provide even stronger security since paired devices won't have to frequently expose their keys for the pairing process.

Pairing is a structured three-phase process. The initial two phases are indispensable, while the third phase, focused on transport-specific key distribution, is optional.

The Pairing Process—Phase 1: Pairing Feature Exchange

The first step of the process—called Pairing Feature Exchange—is kicked off by a device known as the initiator.

During this phase, the initiator sends a Pairing Request to the other device, known as the responder. The responder then replies with a Pairing Response. The Pairing Request and Pairing Response are packets of information that contain important details about each device's features and capabilities.

Let’s take a look at the data fields in the “Pairing Request” and “Pairing Response” packets (Figure 1).

IO Capability : This field specifies the device's input and output capabilities, which help determine the level of security and the key generation method for pairing. The options for this field could include DisplayOnly, DisplayYesNo, KeyboardOnly, NoInputNoOutput, and KeyboardDisplay, each of which corresponds to a different physical capability of the device.
OOB Data Flag : This field indicates whether Out-of-Band (OOB) data is available. OOB is a method of communication that uses an external means of communication (outside the standard Bluetooth communication channels) to authenticate a device. The field is binary, either OOB Authentication Data Not Present or OOB Authentication Data from a Remote Device Present.
AuthReq : This field, short for Authentication Requirements, defines the security requirements of the device. It is a combination of multiple bits, each of which represents a specific requirement, such as Bonding Flags, MITM (Man In The Middle Protection), Secure Connections, and Keypress.
Max Encryption Key Size : This field specifies the maximum length of the encryption key that can be used in the pairing process, ranging from 7 to 16 bytes. This impacts the strength or entropy of the encryption for the subsequent connection.
Initiator Key Distribution / Responder Key Distribution : These fields indicate which keys the initiator and responder are able to distribute. The keys may include the Long Term Key (LTK), Identity Resolving Key (IRK), and Connection Signature Resolving Key (CSRK).

The data shared during this initial Pairing Feature Exchange determines the key generation pairing method used in the next phase of the pairing process. The workflow for choosing the pairing method is as below:

Workflow for Choosing Pairing Method

By examining the Secure Connections (SC), Out-of-Band (OOB), Man In The Middle (MITM) protection, and IO capability fields in the pairing packets, devices can collectively determine the most suitable pairing method for key generation (Figure 2).

This decision-making process follows these steps:

Secure Connections (SC) : They first check whether they both support Secure Connections. If they both do, then the devices will use the LE Secure Connections pairing method, and if not, then they will use the Legacy Pairing method. After the selection of the pairing method, the next step is to choose an association method.
Out-of-Band (OOB) Data : The next thing they consider is whether both of them have Out-of-Band data. If both do, the Out-of-Band association method is selected, which offers additional security through a separate communication channel for verification. If only one or neither device has OOB data, the MITM bit is evaluated next.
Man In The Middle (MITM) Protection : If neither device supports MITM protection, the Just Works association method is selected. However, if either or both devices support MITM protection, the IO capabilities bit is inspected to choose an association method that includes user interaction to establish MITM protection.
IO Capabilities : Finally, the devices need to understand what each of them can do (Figure 3). Can they display numbers? Do they have a keyboard for entering a passcode? This helps them decide on the most practical pairing method. If both have a display and keyboard, they can “compare numbers.” If only one can display, they use 'passkey entry.' And if neither can display or input numbers, they go with Just Works.

Phase 2: Key Generation

Bluetooth LE devices compliant with Bluetooth Core Specification version 4.2 or later typically have two main pairing methods at their disposal.

The first is known as LE Legacy Pairing, which is the traditional method. The second, and considerably more secure is LE Secure Connections. Devices operating on a Bluetooth stack version earlier than 4.2 will only have the LE Legacy Pairing option.

Difference Between LE Legacy Pairing and LE Secure Connections

LE Legacy Pairing uses a simpler key generation mechanism that, while functional, doesn't offer the highest level of security. In contrast, LE Secure Connections utilize the Elliptic Curve Diffie Hellman (ECDH) key exchange, providing a significantly higher level of security. This method is particularly effective against passive eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Pairing Association Models

These are various ways or strategies in which the pairing process may proceed. These models vary based on the devices' IO capabilities and MITM protection requirements. Table 1 shows a simplified breakdown of the models:

Phase 3: Transport-Specific Key Distribution

The final phase of the Bluetooth LE pairing process, the Transport Specific Key Distribution, comes after a successful pairing. This phase is primarily used to distribute the security keys that devices specified in the Initiator and Responder Key distribution fields. Figure 4 illustrates the three phases of the paring process.

Creating a Trusty Bluetooth Link

Pairing is a structured, three-stage procedure that creates a trusty bridge for the safe exchange of security keys between the connected Bluetooth LE devices.

Pairing commences with the Pairing Feature Exchange phase, wherein the devices involved exchange their capabilities and establish the groundwork for the pairing process. The second phase involves Key Generation, where an encryption key is generated, and the link is encrypted.

The devices can then share their security keys on the encrypted link. Once the devices have paired. They can choose to bond. Bonding is the process where devices remember the security information exchanged during a successful pairing.

With all that in mind, pairing serves as the foundation for securing all future communications between LE devices.

celadon-v2

Celadon: Your Strategic Partner for Consumer Electronics Manufacturing Beyond China

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Ready to Move Beyond China and Improve Your Product?

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What Is Infrared (IR) Technology? ﻿

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You Want To Develop A Bluetooth® Remote Control Product?

Bluetooth® Declaration Fees: What They Are and Why They Matter

What Is a Bluetooth® Declaration Fee?

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Technology Spotlight: Supercapacitors as “Batteries” with USB Charging

Supercapacitors 101 (and how they differ from batteries)

Why pair supercapacitors with USB-C power delivery?

Practical advantages in handheld and embedded products

Design trade-offs to plan for

Architecture snapshot: USB-C PD + supercap bank

Where supercapacitors shine

When batteries still win

How Celadon helps you choose (and build) the right path

External references (for further reading)

Contact us

Product Labeling Requirements for Custom RF Remote Controls: What Engineers Need to Know

EMC regulatory marks by region

Product Label Examples

Environmental & battery labeling

Country‑of‑origin & trade markings

Material & durability standards for labels

Licensed technology marks

Design‑for‑labeling: Mechanical & Artwork Suggestions

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How Celadon helps

Contact us

How To Choose Between Bluetooth ® and Proprietary RF Chipsets for a New Custom Remote Control Product - Celadon

Understanding Wireless Options

Bluetooth® Overview

Proprietary RF Overview

Range and Coverage

Power Consumption

Data Throughput and Latency

Interference and Reliability

Security Considerations

Typical Use Cases

When to Choose Bluetooth ®

When to Choose Proprietary RF

Final Thoughts

Why Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Radiated Emissions for Custom Remote Control Systems Are Important Manufacturing Considerations. - Celadon

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Conducted vs. Radiated Emissions

Regulatory Standards and Testing

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Further Reading

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Best smart home or home tech: Roborock Saros Z70 ﻿

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Best mobile: HMD OffGrid

Best privacy or security: Ultraloq Bolt Mission

The Challenge

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Celadon’s Role in Remote Control Innovation

Contact Us

Best transportation or mobility: Honda 0 Series

Best smart home or home tech: Roborock Saros Z70