| What are Single Board Computers | | | | wireless capabilities. |
| When most people think of computers, the image | | | | Pros and Cons of Single Board Computers |
| of a PC or laptop comes to mind. Some may | | | | There are both advantages and disadvantages to |
| even recall the football field size computers of the | | | | using SBC's for industrial and product |
| 1960's and 70's before the emergence of the PC. | | | | enhancement. Deciding whether or not to |
| Very few people would picture single board | | | | implement single board computer technology is |
| computers , even if there was one sitting right in | | | | largely a matter of application necessity and cost. |
| front of them! A single board computer is the | | | | Some of the deciding factors on using them |
| terminology used for a printed circuit board that | | | | include: |
| contains a processor, memory, I/O (input/output) | | | | + Pro : Current technologies have increased the |
| and a clock. Single board computers (aka SBC's) | | | | capability of the single board computer, while |
| resemble the motherboard contained in a typical | | | | reducing its size and cost. |
| PC, but include all the elements of a basic | | | | + Pro : Wireless technology has made it possible |
| computer within it's small design. Since the early | | | | for easy internet access via SBC. |
| 1980's, the technology behind this type of | | | | + Pro : The competitive market has greatly |
| computers has been used in industrial | | | | expanding the options and functionalities available |
| manufacturing and computerized product design | | | | for SBC's. |
| to apply basic processing functions for high-tech | | | | + Pro : Advanced computer technology offers |
| product features. | | | | reliability for industrial manufacturers and quality |
| Usage of Single Board Computers | | | | products for vendors using SBC's. |
| Also commonly referred to as embedded | | | | - Con : Incorporation can be costly for high |
| computers, single board computers are used in | | | | volume products and applications. |
| products from airplanes and rocket ships, to toys | | | | - Con : Some applications require customized sizes |
| and high performance athletic shoes. Almost | | | | or I/O functions that are not compatible with |
| everyone uses single board computers without | | | | standard SBC's. |
| being aware of their existence. Most products | | | | Single Board Computer Technologies |
| that utilize computer technology (such as fax | | | | While all SBC's are built using similar standards, |
| machines, cameras, cell phones, etc) contain | | | | different technologies can be included with |
| embedded single board computers. While these | | | | individual SBC's. Video capability, Ethernet access |
| tiny computers can host a full size operating | | | | functionality and digital computer technologies are |
| system such as Windows XP, most SBC's have | | | | just some of the features that can be |
| internal operating systems that take up much less | | | | incorporated into a single board computer. In |
| space. Simpler operating systems equal a lower | | | | general, SBC's can be as simple or as complex as |
| cost per computer. Software for single board | | | | an application demands. Additionally, supplemental |
| computers is generally contained on a flash | | | | hardware such as backplanes and mezzanine |
| memory system or ROM chip. Quality indictors for | | | | structures can significantly increase the |
| single board systems include processor | | | | functionality of a single board computer. |
| performance, I/O compatibility, SSD storage and | | | | |