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Cloud9 Technologies
A disruptive VoIP investment trading system big banks are betting on.
An Inside Glimpse Into the Product Development of Cloud9's VoIP System and Wideband Handset
Background & Design Requirements
Cloud9 Technologies approached Design 1st to develop a mission-critical VoIP communication system for financial traders after their initial design concept from another firm proved challenging to implement.
Cloud9 needed a complete hardware/software ecosystem, including a custom wideband audio handset and base station to integrate with its software platform for voice-enabled trading seamlessly. Key requirements included:
- Custom wideband audio handset for high clarity voice communication in noisy trading environments
- Clickless mute functionality for traders to seamlessly switch between conversations
- Durable, lightweight handset with adjustable volume controls and optimal ergonomics
- Cost-effective manufacturing strategy for sub-100k production volumes
- Tactile hardware interface supporting 600+ intercom connections for trading floors
- Base station with standard electrical interfaces to enable advanced features
- Highly responsive controls with dual high-resolution display feedback, plus support for multiple USB audio devices and HID
Physical Design Challenges
Design 1st transformed Cloud9’s initial concept renderings into a manufactured product by solving complex physical, electronics and acoustic design challenges.
Our industrial designers, mechanical and electronics engineers collaborated to bridge the gap between visual appeal and practical functionality, ensuring the final product met both performance requirements and production constraints. Key challenges included:
- Cost-driven re-design of a single large display base station concept to a dual display solution with lowest cost customized Linux OS chipset, electronics and interacting dual display drivers.
- Engineered a durable, lightweight wideband audio handset with acoustic chambers, foam and grill to suppress plosive noise, optimize audio performance and ergonomics for all-day trader usage.
- Design of an innovative microphone module with a near-field noise-canceling microphone and analog filter to eliminate low-frequency booming, guiding the Japan microphone manufacturer to achieve the custom solution.
Electronics Design Challenges
The Cloud9 VoIP system required sophisticated electronics engineering to deliver the high-quality audio performance demanded by traders in fast-paced environments. Design 1st’s electronics team addressed several technical obstacles while integrating with Cloud9’s software platform and accommodating the physical design constraints. Key challenges overcome included:
- Developing wideband audio circuitry with codec to meet ITU telecom standards for trader communications
- Engineering a "clickless" muting solution despite low voltage outputs from the initial base station design
- Designing and verification of low-noise analog audio circuitry to maintain signal clarity in trading floor environments
- Highly synchronized/reliable multi processor platform with OTA firmware upgrade.
- Prototyping multiple iterations of the handset electronics to achieve optimal microphone sensitivity and speaker performance
- Iterative Acoustic tests for performance optimizations of noise rejection, frequency response, and voice clarity across various use cases
Project Results
Design 1st delivered a complete VoIP trading system for Cloud9 through a multi-year partnership with multiple hardware iterations and hands-on manufacturing support in China. This complex project yielded impressive business outcomes for Cloud9:
- Cloud9 secured $61.5 million in funding over four rounds, with investors backing both the software platform and custom hardware ecosystem
- Delivered a complete hardware ecosystem including handsets, CloudHub, and Button Board solutions
- Widespread adoption by major financial institutions on trading floors worldwide
- Hardware ecosystem contributed significantly to Cloud9's acquisition by Symphony in 2021
From $65m Funded Startup to Global-Leading VoIP Financial Trading Platform Acquired by Symphony
“Design 1st’s designers and engineers brought a deep understanding of telecom technology, wideband audio and production development to help us develop a world-class VoIP platform for our financial trading users. On top of this, the team helped guide us through supplier selection, manufacturing, and post-launch production support”
Leo Papadopoulos
CIO and Founder, Cloud9 Technologies
