Single board computers incorporate a memory, processor, input and output, and other features on a single board. Single board computers consist of small computing devices used in experimentation, building a media player, learning how to program, building home automation, robotics, and performing computing tasks like word processing and web browsing. They are also useful in industrial applications in areas that entail robotics and the internet of things.
Comparison Between Single Board Computers and Desktop Computers
- Single board computers don’t rely on expansion slots for peripheral functions or expansion, unlike a desktop personal computer.
- Single board computers combine a wide range of microprocessors, while desktops entail the processor, which can be a micro tower or mini-tower.
- Some single board computers are very slow and limited compared to the average desktop computer.
- Desktops are not expanded in their capabilities like the single board computers.
- Desktop computers have motherboards with slots for the necessary components of the computer. Conversely, single board computers have all the elements of a complete computer contained within one circuit board.
- Everything is self-contained on single board computers compared to desktop computers, where the processor, memory storage, input and output devices, and other essential components are attached through sockets on the motherboard.
- Single board computers come in a massive range of different capacities, unlike desktop computers.
Functions of Single Board Computers
- Single board computers are useful in embedded applications.
- Most of the time, single board computers are also used in rack systems because they allow for fast and reliable integration systems.
- Single board computers can also be used in backplanes because backplanes allow input and output devices to be attached to the computer.
- Single board computers are also essential in a vending machine to control its functions.
Reasons Why Single Board Computers Are Useful in The Industry
- Single board computers come in a wide range of specialized designs and contain all the capacity required to perform most automation tasks.
- They are significantly useful in some applications compared to using a typical desktop computer.
- The small size of single board computers allows them to be embedded in devices where space is minimal.
- Single board computers are efficient, thus helps in power saving.
- Single board computers are also reliable under trying environmental conditions because they are self-contained.
- Single board computers are easy to swap one out for the other if a computer needs to be replaced.
- Due to the single board computers’ reliability, they have proven to be cost-effective solutions to the industry.
- Single board computers are not manufactured in the same quantities as the allowed standard multi-board motherboards. Therefore, they’re somewhat specialized equipment.
- Single board computers can also provide a more expanded capacity than a standard multi-board computer and in a much more compact amount of space with certain types of backplane arrangements.
Variations of Single Board Computers
There is a wide range of available single board computers. The most common available designs are those that are efficient in backplane connections. These designs are commonly preferred to be used with architectures. These designs include; PXI, CompactPCI types, and VXI.
Single board computers are getting more potent with the modern arrangement. However, they typically don’t have the range of performance that you will see with desktop computers.