If you’ve ever used a fax machine, played with a toy containing technology, or used a cell phone, you’ve come into contact with an SBC, or single board computer. An sbc single board computer is the unsung hero of many technological advancements, often overshadowed by your desktop personal computer or laptop. Without single board computers, many industries would have to completely rethink how they compute and function on a massive scale.
A Brief History of SBCs
Single board computers are a complete system built on one circuit board. It includes microprocessors, input/output, memory, and a number of other features required for a computer to function on its own. Originally made in the 1970s, single board computers were used for demonstrations and development of higher functioning systems looking for embedded computer controllers that provide more versatility. The number of microprocessors which can be applied to a single board makes this system all the more appealing and continues to make it so for many industries that feature technologies such as those relating to deep-sea exploration.
The Growth of PCs vs. SBCs
Personal computers eventually overtook single board computers in the marketing field. With the ability to plug in peripheral components to a separate motherboard that already contains everything the computer needs to function; personal computers became a more appealing option to individuals and industries looking for a wider variety of uses for their technology. Single board computers function better if you only need them for specific uses. When looking for something you can expand upon, personal computers would be more appealing. This doesn’t negate the importance of single board computers in many industries in the modern day, though.
The increased density of integrated circuits, which eliminates the system’s overall cost, is what makes single board computers possible. Nowadays they function best across the board as having either no slots or acting as slot support. Industrial settings tend to utilize single board computers by embedding them within devices, so they may provide a better means of control and interfacing. They are also used in rackmount format as a means of control and processing.
Pros and Cons of SBCs
Here are some pros and cons. The pros of using a single board computer include the reduction of size and cost as compared to older models. Wireless technology has also been proven to work on single board computers, and the market for these models is always expanding and growing in competition. This also means there is an increased pervasiveness of quality support and reliable products from manufacturers of single board computers. The primary cons involve cost. Incorporating highly rated single board computers on a massive scale can put a dent in a company’s budget. There’s also the issue of applications. Some will require customized sizes, like input/output options that are incompatible with standard single board computers. Technological advancements have brought the single board computer from the demonstrative beginnings in the 1970s to the heavily implemented industrial functioning computer it is now. With the ability to include video, ethernet, digital technologies in single board computers, the possibilities of this model continue to expand.