Ideal Small Form Factor Choices Require Consideration of both Technical and Strategic Options
Embedded systems are by nature diverse and ubiquitous. Controlling production lines and rail systems, enabling high resolution medical imaging, or facilitating in-vehicle entertainment systems - these high performance applications are just a few examples of how indispensable computing systems span all aspects of modern life and business. Understandably, the design process is becoming increasingly complex. Connected embedded systems must often support specific interfaces required by end-use applications, handle extreme temperature ranges, and deliver low power consumption with high performance in remote, rugged deployments.
It is the system developer's task to navigate the complicated world of technical and strategic options that impact design in order to choose the small form factor that both enables and improves structure and function. Asking the right questions will help developers evaluate design requirements and priorities, ultimately guiding the process to the ideal form factor for the application. The following material examines various aspects of the complex question and answer process, illustrating how developers must reflect on differences between PC/104 single board computer (SBC) and computer-on-module (COM) options and their architectures. There is no single path to creating the ideal small form factor design - only a logical balance of considerations that address performance and price while distinguishing innovative, competitive designs.
