Single-Board Computers

Embedded Single-Board Computers for Industrial Applications

What Is an Embedded Single-Board Computer?

An embedded single-board computer (SBC) is a complete computing system integrated on a single circuit board. Unlike modular architectures that separate the processor from the carrier board, an SBC includes the CPU, memory, storage interfaces, and I/O on one board, ready for integration into an enclosure or system chassis.

Industrial-grade SBCs differ fundamentally from consumer boards. They are engineered for continuous 24/7 operation, built with high-quality components rated for extended lifecycles, and designed to withstand the environmental stresses of factory floors, outdoor installations, and mobile platforms. This commitment to durability translates directly into enhanced reliability and lower total cost of ownership over the product's lifespan.

At Westward Sales, our selection of embedded single-board computers from ARBOR Technology, Axiomtek, and ASUS provides access to proven platforms for industrial automation, edge computing, HMI systems, and IoT deployments.

Form Factors

Embedded SBCs are available in standardized form factors that define board dimensions, mounting holes, and I/O placement. Selecting the right form factor depends on your enclosure constraints, expansion requirements, and performance needs.

3.5-Inch Embedded Boards

The 3.5-inch form factor (102 x 147 mm) provides a compact computing platform ideal for space-constrained applications. These boards typically feature soldered low-power processors (Intel Atom, Celeron, Pentium) and integrated I/O including display outputs, Ethernet, USB, and serial ports. The 3.5-inch form factor is widely used in kiosks, HMI panels, digital signage, and compact industrial controllers.

Mini-ITX Motherboards

Mini-ITX motherboards (170 x 170 mm) offer a balance of compact size and expansion capability. With one PCIe slot and support for socketed processors up to Intel Core i9, Mini-ITX boards serve applications requiring more processing power or add-in cards than 3.5-inch boards can accommodate. Common applications include embedded servers, network appliances, gaming systems, and industrial PCs requiring GPU or specialized I/O expansion.

ATX Motherboards

Industrial ATX motherboards (305 x 244 mm) provide maximum expansion capacity and processing power. With multiple PCIe slots, support for Intel Xeon and high-core-count processors, and extensive onboard I/O, ATX boards serve demanding applications including AI inference, machine vision, industrial servers, and high-performance computing platforms.

PICMG Single-Board Computers

PICMG SBCs follow industry standards for backplane-based systems. These boards plug into passive backplanes that provide expansion slots, enabling highly configurable systems with multiple add-in cards. PICMG architectures are used in telecommunications, test and measurement, military, and industrial automation applications requiring maximum I/O flexibility and field-serviceability.

Processor Options

Industrial SBCs accommodate processors across the performance spectrum:

Intel Atom and Celeron: Energy-efficient processors for low-power, fanless designs. Ideal for IoT gateways, HMI panels, and always-on industrial controllers where thermal constraints limit power consumption.

Intel Pentium: Mid-range performance for applications requiring more processing capability than Atom while maintaining moderate power consumption. Suitable for digital signage, kiosks, and light industrial automation.

Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9: High-performance processors for demanding embedded applications including machine vision, AI inference, and multi-tasking industrial workstations. Available in both mobile (U-series, low power) and desktop (S-series, maximum performance) variants.

Intel Xeon: Server-grade processors for applications requiring maximum core counts, ECC memory support, and enterprise reliability. Used in industrial servers, edge computing platforms, and high-performance embedded systems.

AMD Ryzen: Alternative high-performance processors offering competitive multi-threaded performance for embedded workstations and edge computing applications.

Key Features for Industrial Deployment

Fanless Operation

Many industrial SBCs feature fanless thermal designs that eliminate moving parts, reduce noise, and prevent contamination from airborne particulates. Fanless boards rely on conductive cooling to external heatsinks or enclosures, making them ideal for dusty, vibration-prone, or noise-sensitive environments.

Extended Temperature Support

Industrial SBCs are available with operating temperature ranges extending from -40°C to +85°C, enabling deployment in outdoor enclosures, vehicles, and industrial environments where consumer boards would fail. Wide temperature support requires careful component selection, thermal design, and validation testing.

Rich I/O Interfaces

Industrial applications require connectivity beyond standard USB and Ethernet. Our SBCs provide:

• Multiple display outputs (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, LVDS, eDP) for HMI and multi-monitor applications
• Serial ports (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485) for legacy equipment and industrial protocols
• Digital I/O for sensor integration and discrete control
• Dual or quad Gigabit Ethernet for network redundancy and segmentation
• PCIe and Mini PCIe slots for wireless, storage, and specialized I/O expansion

Long-Term Availability

Unlike consumer motherboards with 12-18 month lifecycles, industrial SBCs are designed for extended availability, often 5-10 years or longer. This longevity protects your investment in system design, enclosure tooling, and regulatory certification by ensuring component availability throughout your product's lifecycle.

Applications

Embedded single-board computers serve as the computing foundation across industrial and commercial applications:

Factory Automation: Machine control, PLC integration, SCADA interfaces, and production line monitoring requiring reliable, long-life computing platforms.

Edge Computing and IoT: Data aggregation, protocol conversion, and local processing at the network edge. For AI-enabled edge computing, explore our edge AI computers.

Human-Machine Interface (HMI): Touch panel controllers, operator stations, and visualization systems for industrial equipment and process control.

Digital Signage: Media players, menu boards, and information displays requiring fanless operation and reliable 24/7 playback.

Transportation: In-vehicle computing, passenger information systems, and fleet management platforms requiring vibration resistance and wide temperature operation.

Medical Devices: Diagnostic equipment, patient monitoring, and clinical workstations where long-term availability and regulatory compliance are essential.

Network Infrastructure: Firewalls, routers, VPN gateways, and network appliances built on industrial computing platforms.

Choosing Between SBCs and System-on-Modules

Single-board computers provide a complete, ready-to-integrate computing platform. System-on-Modules (SoMs) like Qseven and SMARC separate the computing core from the carrier board, enabling custom I/O configurations and easier processor upgrades.

Choose an SBC when:

• Standard I/O configurations meet your requirements
• Faster time-to-market is prioritized
• Development resources for the carrier board design are limited
• Application volumes don't justify custom carrier board tooling

Choose a SoM when:

• Custom I/O or form factors are required
• Processor upgrade paths must be preserved
• Multiple product variants will share a carrier board design
• Higher volumes justify carrier board development investment

Your Strategic Partner in Embedded Computing

Westward Sales is more than a supplier; we are your strategic partner in embedded computing. We understand that selecting an embedded single-board computer is a strategic decision affecting your product's lifecycle, total cost of ownership, and time-to-market.

By choosing a commercially off-the-shelf solution from our trusted manufacturers, you benefit from reduced development cycles, proven reliability, and long-term component availability. Our team works alongside your engineers to identify the right form factor, processor, and I/O configuration for your specific application requirements.

Explore our full range of embedded boards, compare specifications across form factors, and contact our team to find the ideal computing platform for your next project.