Single Board Computers (SBCs), Computer On Module (COM)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
WB-IMX6S Wandboard	WB-IMX6S	61
WB-IMX6QP-BW Wandboard	WB-IMX6QP-BW KIT	12
WB-IMX6Q-BW Wandboard	WB-IMX6Q-BW KIT	53
PICO-IMX6UL-KIT Wandboard	I.MX6UL BOARD	5
PICO-PI-IMX7 Wandboard	STARTER KIT FOR ANDROID	46
WB-IMX6U-BW Wandboard	WB-IMX6U-BW KIT	26
WB-EDM-IMX6S-10PACK Wandboard	MOD MULTIMEDIA PROC I.MX6 10PK	0
WBSOLO Wandboard	SBC CORTEX-A9 I.MX6 SOLO 512MB	0
WBQUAD Wandboard	BOARD DEV I.MX6 QUAD CORE	0
HOBBIT6UL-BRILLO Wandboard	HOBBIT6UL-BRILLO	0
WBDUAL Wandboard	SBC CORTEX-A9 I.MX6 DUAL 1GB	0
WB-EDM-IMX6DL-10PACK Wandboard	MOD MULTIMEDIA PROC I.MX6 10PK	0
WB-EDM-IMX6Q-10PACK Wandboard	MOD MULTIMEDIA PROC I.MX6 10PK	0

Single Board Computers (SBCs), Computer On Module (COM)

1. Overview

Embedded computers are specialized computing systems designed for specific tasks within larger mechanical or electrical systems. Single Board Computers (SBCs) integrate all computer components on a single circuit board, providing a compact and self-contained solution. Computer On Module (COMs) are standardized modules containing core computing components, designed to be integrated into carrier boards for customized applications. These technologies are critical in industrial automation, IoT, robotics, and edge computing due to their reliability, scalability, and space efficiency.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
SBC (e.g., Raspberry Pi)	Complete system with CPU, RAM, storage, and I/O interfaces	Smart home devices, educational tools
COM (e.g., COM Express)	Modular design with processor, memory, and basic I/O; requires carrier board	Medical imaging systems, industrial controllers
Industrial SBC	Ruggedized components for harsh environments	Factory automation, outdoor kiosks

3. Structure and Components

A typical SBC includes a processor (ARM/x86), RAM, flash storage (eMMC/NOR), power management unit, and interfaces (USB, HDMI, GPIO). COMs feature a dense layout with SoC (System on Chip), DDR4 memory packages, thermal dissipation layers, and high-speed connectors. Both utilize PCB substrates with multi-layer routing for signal integrity.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
CPU Performance	Measured in DMIPS or GHz	Determines processing capability
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	Power consumption in watts	Impacts cooling requirements
Interface Types	USB 3.0, PCIe, CAN, etc.	Dictates peripheral compatibility
Operating Temperature	-40 C to +85 C range	Defines environmental tolerance

5. Application Areas

Industrial: CNC machines, PLC controllers
Healthcare: Patient monitoring systems, diagnostic equipment
Transportation: In-vehicle infotainment, ADAS
Smart Cities: Surveillance cameras, environmental sensors

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Features
Raspberry Pi Foundation	Raspberry Pi 4 Model B	Quad-core Cortex-A72, 4K HDMI
Intel	COM Express modules	11th Gen Core processors, PCIe 4.0
NVIDIA	JETSON AGX Xavier	AI accelerator, 32 TOPS performance
Advantech	AIMB-236 SBC	Intel Atom x6425E, -20 C to 70 C operation

7. Selection Guidelines

Consider processing requirements, power constraints, environmental conditions, and long-term availability. For industrial applications, prioritize extended temperature ranges and RoHS compliance. Evaluate ecosystem support (OS compatibility, SDKs) and choose modular designs for future upgrades.

8. Industry Trends

Key trends include AI integration at the edge, adoption of RISC-V architecture, increased use of heterogeneous computing (CPU+GPU+NPU), and standardization of COM interfaces (e.g., SMARC 2.0). Energy efficiency improvements and cybersecurity features are becoming critical for IoT deployments.