Interface Boards

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
VL-EPMS-U1A VersaLogic Corporation	SUMIT-104, 2 RS232 & 2 GEN PUR.	0
VL-EPMS-U1E VersaLogic Corporation	2 CHAN SERIAL I/O GPS WITH SUMIT	0
VL-MPEE-E5E VersaLogic Corporation	DUAL GIGABIT ETHERNET CHANNELS M	79
VL-EPM-E2D VersaLogic Corporation	PC/104-PLUS, ET, 10/100, 2 PORT	45
VL-EPM-V7E VersaLogic Corporation	SBC EXPANSION MODULE PC/104+	5
VL-EPHS-B1A VersaLogic Corporation	SUMIT-MICRO, ET, 4 USB	0
VL-MPEU-G2E-Z VersaLogic Corporation	MINIPCIE BOARD GPS RECEIVER	3
VL-SPX-5 VersaLogic Corporation	ET, 8 CHAN, HIGH/LOW SIDE SWITCH	0
VL-EPHS-P1E VersaLogic Corporation	SUMIT TO MINI PCIE	0
VL-MPEE-FW1E VersaLogic Corporation	1394 FIREWIRE MODULE	26
VL-EPMS-M1B VersaLogic Corporation	SATA, USB MINI PCIE MODULE	0
VL-EPM-PS1A VersaLogic Corporation	PC/104-PLUS, POWER SUPPLY 50 W	19
VL-MPEE-E6E-P VersaLogic Corporation	1 GBE ETHERNET W/POE+, MINI PCIE	14
VL-SPX-1 VersaLogic Corporation	ET, 8 ANALOG INPUT CHANNELS	0
VL-EPMS-U1C VersaLogic Corporation	4 CHAN SERIAL I/O CARD SUMIT+ISA	0
VL-EPMS-PS1A VersaLogic Corporation	SUMIT-104, POWER SUPPLY 50 W	0
VL-EPM-P2E VersaLogic Corporation	PC/104-PLUS, ET	33
VL-EPMS-M1C VersaLogic Corporation	SATA, MSATA AND USB MODULE	0
VL-MPEE-E6E VersaLogic Corporation	1 GBE ETHERNET MINI PCIE MODULE	38
VL-SPX-2 VersaLogic Corporation	ET, 16 DIGITAL I/O LINES	2

Interface Boards

1. Overview

Interface boards for embedded computers are hardware components that facilitate communication between embedded systems and external devices. These boards convert data protocols, manage signal transmission, and ensure compatibility across different hardware architectures. They play a critical role in enabling seamless integration of sensors, actuators, communication modules, and peripheral devices in modern technology, supporting applications from industrial automation to consumer electronics.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Communication Interface Boards	Support protocols like RS-232, RS-485, CAN, SPI, I2C, and Ethernet	Industrial sensors, automotive control units
Digital I/O Boards	Provide programmable input/output channels for binary signals	Factory automation, robotics
Analog I/O Boards	Handle continuous voltage/current signals for precision measurements	Medical equipment, test instruments
Sensor Interface Boards	Integrate ADC/DAC converters and signal conditioning circuits	Environmental monitoring systems
Bus Interface Boards	Bridge between embedded systems and standard buses (PCIe, USB, UART)	Consumer electronics, aerospace systems

3. Structure and Components

Typical interface boards consist of:

PCB substrate with multi-layer routing
Connectors (e.g., DB9, RJ45, M12, USB-C)
Microcontroller or FPGA for protocol handling
Interface-specific chips (e.g., MAX232 for RS-232, CAN transceivers)
Power management modules (voltage regulators, isolation circuits)
Optional onboard memory (EEPROM, Flash)
Thermal management features (heat sinks, thermal vias)

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Interface Type	Determines compatibility with connected devices
Data Transfer Rate	Impacts system response time (up to 10 Gbps in high-speed interfaces)
Operating Temperature	Industrial (-40 C to +85 C) vs. commercial (0 C to 70 C) ranges
Power Consumption	Critical for battery-powered embedded systems
Physical Dimensions	Affects integration into compact devices
EMI/EMC Compliance	Ensures reliable operation in electrically noisy environments

5. Application Fields

Industrial Automation: PLCs, CNC machines, SCADA systems
Medical Devices: MRI scanners, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment
Automotive: ECU interfaces, ADAS systems, infotainment units
Consumer Electronics: Smart home devices, wearable tech
Aerospace: Avionics systems, flight control interfaces

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product
Advantech	PCM-3680 (Industrial I/O board with multiple interfaces)
National Instruments	CompactDAQ (Modular data acquisition system)
NXP Semiconductors	Kinetis K64F (ARM Cortex-M4 based development board)
TI (Texas Instruments)	Tiva C Series TM4C123G (USB-enabled microcontroller board)
Siemens	SIMATIC IOT2000 (Industrial IoT gateway with multiple interfaces)

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations include:

Application Requirements: Match interface types and speeds to system needs (e.g., CAN FD for automotive diagnostics)
Environmental Factors: Choose ruggedized boards for vibration/dust-prone environments
Future-Proofing: Select boards supporting emerging standards (e.g., PCIe 4.0)
Software Support: Verify availability of drivers and SDKs for target OS
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Balance performance requirements against budget constraints

8. Industry Trends

Miniaturization: Development of sub-10mm interface modules for wearable devices
Integration: Combining multiple interface types on single-board computers (SBCs)
Wireless Convergence: Growth of Bluetooth/Wi-Fi 6 interface boards
AI-Enhanced: Boards with onboard neural processing units (NPUs) for edge computing
Industrial 4.0: Time-sensitive networking (TSN) interfaces for real-time automation
Green Design: Low-power interfaces compliant with Energy Star standards