# Halfbridge Engineering

> Outsourced electronics engineering lab based in Barcelona, Spain, serving companies across the EU, UK and Switzerland. We join hardware projects at any stage (idea, dev-board prototype, schematic, PCB layout, first boards, working prototype) and take them to a tested, manufacturable product. Clients own all design files.

## Key facts

- Engineering rate: EUR 75 per hour excl. VAT (typical European engineering rates are EUR 95-130/h)
- Minimum engagement: EUR 450; fixed-price design review from EUR 290
- Fixed quote per phase, free, after the client signs our NDA (written in the client's favour) and uploads documentation; free online estimator at /estimate/
- Each phase is paid in advance; work starts on payment. Clients can stop after any phase; documentation is complete for another engineer to continue.
- Communication in writing by default (e-mail or an open-source chat); calls or meetings whenever the project needs them.
- Not in scope: high-speed digital (DDR, PCIe, multi-gigabit links) and high-power or traction battery packs.
- Hardware (PCBs, components, assembly, lab fees) passed through at cost
- Deliverables: native KiCad source files, Gerbers, BOM, firmware source, test reports. No lock-in.
- Languages: English, Spanish, Catalan. NDA before technical discussion on request.
- Specialities: power electronics (DC-DC, AC-DC, chargers, motor drives), small battery-powered products, low-power IoT, EMC pre-compliance.
- Contact: hello@halfbridge.eu

## Typical cost per phase (medium-complexity board, EUR excl. VAT)

- [Feasibility & architecture](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/feasibility-and-architecture/): €600-€1,200, 1-2 weeks. Turn an idea into a system architecture, a component shortlist and a realistic cost and risk picture before anyone draws a schematic.
- [Proof of concept](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/proof-of-concept-prototyping/): €1,200-€3,000, 1-3 weeks. Pre-prototypes built from evaluation boards, modules and bench wiring to retire technical risk before committing to a custom PCB.
- [Schematic design](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/schematic-design/): €1,500-€3,000, 1-3 weeks. Complete, reviewed schematics with component selection, protection, power tree and design calculations documented.
- [PCB layout](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/pcb-layout/): €1,500-€3,600, 1-3 weeks. Multilayer PCB layout with stack-up, impedance, thermal and EMC decisions made deliberately, ready for fabrication and assembly.
- [Fabrication & assembly](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/pcb-fabrication-and-assembly/): €300-€600, 2-3 weeks. We order PCBs, source components and manage assembly of your prototype boards with vetted European and Asian manufacturers.
- [Bring-up & debugging](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/board-bring-up-and-debugging/): €940-€2,250, 1-2 weeks. First power-on, rail-by-rail verification and systematic debugging of new or misbehaving boards on a fully equipped bench.
- [Board firmware](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/firmware-and-embedded-software/): €1,500-€4,500, 2-5 weeks. The code that runs inside the microcontroller on your board: it starts the chip, reads the sensors, drives the outputs, manages power and talks to your app or cloud.
- [Test & validation](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/test-and-validation/): €2,160-€4,320, 2-4 weeks. Structured verification of a working prototype against its specification: electrical, thermal, power and functional tests with a written report.
- [Design for manufacturing](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/design-for-manufacturing/): €1,500-€3,000, 2-3 weeks. Final design revision with manufacturing, testability and cost optimised, plus a production test procedure.
- [Pre-compliance & CE preparation](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/ce-emc-pre-compliance/): €2,520-€5,040, 2-5 weeks. Pre-compliance testing, design fixes and technical file preparation before you pay for accredited EMC, radio or safety testing.
- [Small-batch production](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/small-batch-production/): €1,980-€3,960, 4-8 weeks. Managed production of 50 to 1,000 units: sourcing, assembly, programming, testing and delivery of tested boards.

## Pages

- [Halfbridge Engineering | Outsourced hardware development lab in Europe](https://www.halfbridge.eu/): Outsourced electronics lab in Barcelona. We join your hardware project at any stage (idea, dev-board prototype, schematic, PCB, failing boards) and finish it. €75/h, fixed quotes, you own the files.
- [Hardware development services](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/): Feasibility, proof of concept, schematic, PCB layout, fabrication, bring-up, firmware, validation, DFM, CE pre-compliance and small-batch production. Fixed price per stage.
- [Feasibility & architecture service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/feasibility-and-architecture/): Turn an idea into a system architecture, a component shortlist and a realistic cost and risk picture before anyone draws a schematic. Typical cost €600–€1,200 excl. VAT, 1–2 weeks.
- [Proof of concept service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/proof-of-concept-prototyping/): Pre-prototypes built from evaluation boards, modules and bench wiring to retire technical risk before committing to a custom PCB. Typical cost €1,200–€3,000 excl. VAT, 1–3 weeks.
- [Schematic design service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/schematic-design/): Complete, reviewed schematics with component selection, protection, power tree and design calculations documented. Typical cost €1,500–€3,000 excl. VAT, 1–3 weeks.
- [PCB layout service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/pcb-layout/): Multilayer PCB layout with stack-up, impedance, thermal and EMC decisions made deliberately, ready for fabrication and assembly. Typical cost €1,500–€3,600 excl. VAT, 1–3 weeks.
- [Fabrication & assembly service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/pcb-fabrication-and-assembly/): We order PCBs, source components and manage assembly of your prototype boards with vetted European and Asian manufacturers. Typical cost €300–€600 excl. VAT, 2–3 weeks.
- [Bring-up & debugging service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/board-bring-up-and-debugging/): First power-on, rail-by-rail verification and systematic debugging of new or misbehaving boards on a fully equipped bench. Typical cost €940–€2,250 excl. VAT, 1–2 weeks.
- [Board firmware service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/firmware-and-embedded-software/): The code that runs inside the microcontroller on your board: it starts the chip, reads the sensors, drives the outputs, manages power and talks to your app or cloud. Typical cost €1,500–€4,500 excl. VAT, 2–5 weeks.
- [Test & validation service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/test-and-validation/): Structured verification of a working prototype against its specification: electrical, thermal, power and functional tests with a written report. Typical cost €2,160–€4,320 excl. VAT, 2–4 weeks.
- [Design for manufacturing service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/design-for-manufacturing/): Final design revision with manufacturing, testability and cost optimised, plus a production test procedure. Typical cost €1,500–€3,000 excl. VAT, 2–3 weeks.
- [Pre-compliance & CE preparation service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/ce-emc-pre-compliance/): Pre-compliance testing, design fixes and technical file preparation before you pay for accredited EMC, radio or safety testing. Typical cost €2,520–€5,040 excl. VAT, 2–5 weeks.
- [Small-batch production service](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/small-batch-production/): Managed production of 50 to 1,000 units: sourcing, assembly, programming, testing and delivery of tested boards. Typical cost €1,980–€3,960 excl. VAT, 4–8 weeks.
- [Hardware project takeover and design rescue](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/hardware-project-takeover/): We continue hardware projects started by a freelancer, agency, software team or AI tool: dev-board prototypes, unreviewed schematics, failing boards and industrial re-engineering.
- [Power electronics design](https://www.halfbridge.eu/services/power-electronics/): DC-DC and AC-DC converters, isolated and bidirectional topologies, motor drives and chargers for small battery products, designed and measured by engineers with doctoral-level power conversion experience.
- [How it works: process, payment and ownership](https://www.halfbridge.eu/how-it-works/): Written communication by default, calls when needed. Our NDA protects you, then a free fixed quote per phase, paid in advance. Full ownership of source files; stop after any phase.
- [Electronics lab capabilities](https://www.halfbridge.eu/lab/): Oscilloscopes to 400 MHz, differential and current probes, programmable supplies and loads, thermal imaging, fine-pitch rework, protocol analysis and EMC pre-compliance, operated by engineers.
- [Pricing for electronics design and prototyping](https://www.halfbridge.eu/pricing/): Hardware development at €75/h excl. VAT with fixed prices per phase. Typical costs for schematic, PCB layout, prototypes, firmware, validation and CE pre-compliance, with worked examples.
- [Hardware engineering for software and AI teams](https://www.halfbridge.eu/for-software-and-ai-teams/): For start-ups and software teams building with AI: we turn ESP32, Arduino and Raspberry Pi prototypes into custom PCBs, firmware drivers and CE-ready products.
- [Hardware development guides](https://www.halfbridge.eu/guides/): Practical guides on hardware development cost in Europe, moving from dev boards to custom PCBs, and handing over electronics projects.
- [How much does electronic product development cost in Europe?](https://www.halfbridge.eu/guides/hardware-development-cost-europe/): Stage-by-stage costs, what drives them and three worked examples, from a European hardware lab that publishes its prices.
- [From dev board to custom PCB: what changes and what to prepare](https://www.halfbridge.eu/guides/from-dev-board-to-custom-pcb/): What happens when an ESP32, Arduino or Raspberry Pi prototype becomes a real product, and what to have ready before you hire an engineer.
- [Handing over a half-finished hardware project: the checklist](https://www.halfbridge.eu/guides/hardware-project-handover-checklist/): The files, notes and hardware to collect before a new engineer or lab takes over your electronics project.
- [Frequently asked questions](https://www.halfbridge.eu/faq/): Answers about outsourced hardware development: stages we join, NDAs, rates, quotes, tools, power electronics, CE marking, manufacturing and ownership of files.
- [About Halfbridge Engineering](https://www.halfbridge.eu/about/): Halfbridge Engineering is an electronics engineering lab in Barcelona led by a PhD in power electronics. We take hardware projects from any stage to production for companies across Europe.
- [Contact an electronics engineer](https://www.halfbridge.eu/contact/): Contact Halfbridge Engineering in Barcelona: describe your hardware project and an engineer replies within one business day. NDA on request.
- [Hardware development cost estimator](https://www.halfbridge.eu/estimate/): Free online estimator for electronics development: pick your stage, scope and complexity and get an indicative budget and timeline in two minutes. Non-binding.
- [Our non-disclosure agreement](https://www.halfbridge.eu/nda/): Our NDA is one-way and written in the client's favour: your information and IP stay yours, no exclusivity or non-compete, return or deletion on request, signed online before you send documentation.
- [Request a fixed quote](https://www.halfbridge.eu/request-quote/): Request a free fixed quote for your hardware project: sign our client-friendly NDA online, upload your documentation and receive a fixed price for the next phase within five business days.
- [Learn electronics: fundamentals and soldering tutorials](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/): Free electronics lessons and workshop tutorials from a hardware lab: Ohm's law, resistors, capacitors, packages, pull-ups, dividers, diodes, MOSFETs, regulators, buses, datasheets and soldering.
- [Voltage, current, power and Ohm's law](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/voltage-current-power-ohms-law/): Voltage, current, resistance and power explained for makers and software engineers, with Ohm's law, power dissipation and resistor ratings.
- [Resistors: types, values, colour codes and SMD codes](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/resistor-types-values-codes/): Resistor types (thick film, thin film, metal film, wirewound, shunt), E-series values, tolerance, power rating per package, colour code and SMD marking codes.
- [Capacitors: types, dielectrics and what the datasheet hides](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/capacitor-types-mlcc-electrolytic/): Capacitor types explained: MLCC ceramic dielectrics (C0G, X7R, X5R, Y5V), DC bias derating, aluminium electrolytic, polymer, tantalum and film capacitors, ESR and voltage ratings.
- [What capacitors are used for: decoupling, filtering, timing and more](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/what-capacitors-are-used-for/): The main uses of capacitors in circuits: decoupling and bypass, bulk storage, RC filters and time constants, AC coupling, button debouncing and snubbers.
- [Component packages explained: through-hole and SMD](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/electronic-component-packages-tht-smd/): Electronic component packages explained: through-hole (axial, radial, DIP, TO-220) and surface-mount (0402 to 2512, SOT-23, SOIC, TSSOP, QFN, QFP, BGA), with metric and imperial codes and hand-solderability.
- [Pull-up and pull-down resistors: why inputs need them](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/pull-up-pull-down-resistors/): Pull-up and pull-down resistors explained: floating digital inputs, button circuits, internal pull-ups, open-drain and I2C buses, and how to choose resistor values.
- [Voltage dividers: measuring higher voltages safely](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/voltage-divider/): How a resistor voltage divider works, how to scale a battery or 12 V signal for an ADC, the loading effect, and why a divider must never be used to power a circuit.
- [Diodes and LEDs: rectifier, Schottky, Zener, TVS and LED resistors](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/diodes-and-leds/): Diode types explained (rectifier, signal, Schottky, Zener, TVS/ESD, LED), forward voltage, reverse polarity protection, flyback diodes and how to calculate an LED series resistor.
- [Transistors as switches: MOSFETs and BJTs from a microcontroller](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/transistors-mosfet-bjt-as-switches/): How to use MOSFETs and bipolar transistors as switches from a microcontroller: low-side switching, logic-level MOSFETs, gate resistor and pull-down, base resistor and flyback diodes.
- [Voltage regulators: LDO or switching converter?](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/voltage-regulators-ldo-vs-buck/): Linear regulators (LDO) versus switching converters (buck, boost): dropout voltage, efficiency, heat dissipation, noise, quiescent current and how to choose for a battery or 12 V product.
- [Logic levels and communication buses: UART, I²C and SPI](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/logic-levels-uart-i2c-spi/): Digital logic levels (3.3 V and 5 V, 5 V tolerance, level shifting) and the three common embedded buses: UART, I2C and SPI, with wiring, pull-ups and typical mistakes.
- [How to read a datasheet without getting fooled](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/how-to-read-a-datasheet/): How to read an electronic component datasheet: absolute maximum ratings, recommended operating conditions, typical versus minimum and maximum values, test conditions, graphs and application notes.
- [How to solder: the basics that actually matter](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/how-to-solder-basics/): A practical introduction to through-hole soldering from an electronics lab: iron temperature, tips, flux, technique and how to recognise good and bad joints.
- [How to solder a wire to a PCB pad](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/solder-wire-to-pcb/): Step-by-step guide to soldering a wire to a PCB pad or through-hole: stripping, tinning, joining, insulating and strain relief so the wire does not break off.
- [How to remove and replace a through-hole component](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/desolder-through-hole-component/): How to desolder a through-hole component with a pump and desoldering braid, clear the holes and fit a replacement without damaging the PCB.
- [How to hand-solder small SMD parts (0805, 0603)](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/hand-solder-smd-components/): How to hand-solder and replace two-terminal surface-mount resistors and capacitors in 0805 and 0603 packages with a soldering iron, tweezers and flux.
- [How to check a board with a multimeter before powering it](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/check-a-board-with-a-multimeter/): The checks an electronics lab runs with a multimeter before and after powering a board: continuity, shorts between supply and ground, and supply voltages under a current limit.
- [Electronics workbench starter kit: what to buy and what to skip](https://www.halfbridge.eu/learn/electronics-workbench-starter-kit/): What a small team needs on an electronics workbench to handle small fixes on its own boards: soldering, inspection, measurement and safety, with what to skip.

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