PICMG SBC

PICMG 1.3 Single Board Computers for Industrial Systems

What Is a PICMG SBC?

PICMG (PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group) defines a standardized architecture for industrial single-board computers designed around maximum expansion, serviceability, and long-term availability. Unlike traditional motherboards that integrate all components onto a single board, PICMG systems separate the computing core (the SBC or slot CPU card) from the expansion infrastructure (the passive backplane).

This two-part architecture delivers significant advantages for industrial applications. The SBC contains the processor, chipset, memory, and essential I/O, while the passive backplane provides multiple expansion slots for peripheral cards. When a system requires a CPU upgrade, the SBC can be swapped without disturbing installed expansion cards or reconfiguring the backplane. This modularity reduces Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), simplifies maintenance, and protects investment in specialized I/O cards across system generations.

Our PICMG boards from Axiomtek and ARBOR are built for mission-critical environments where reliability, serviceability, and long-term component availability are essential requirements.

PICMG 1.3 (SHB Express)

The current standard for high-performance PICMG systems is PICMG 1.3, also known as System Host Board (SHB) Express. This specification replaces the parallel PCI bus of earlier standards with high-speed serial PCI Express (PCIe), delivering substantially higher bandwidth for modern expansion cards, including GPUs, AI accelerators, NVMe storage, and high-speed networking.

PICMG 1.3 backplanes provide:

• PCIe x16 slots: Full bandwidth for discrete GPUs, AI accelerators, and high-performance expansion cards
• PCIe x4/x1 slots: Additional lanes for NICs, frame grabbers, motion controllers, and specialized I/O
• Legacy PCI slots: 32-bit PCI support for established industrial I/O cards still in production use

The SHB160 supports PCIe 4.0, doubling per-lane bandwidth compared to PCIe 3.0 for demanding GPU and NVMe workloads.

Full-Size vs Half-Size Boards

PICMG 1.3 defines two board sizes to accommodate different system requirements:

Full-Size SHB (338 x 126 mm)

Full-size boards like the SHB160 and SHB150R provide maximum I/O density, memory capacity, and expansion capability. These boards suit systems requiring:

• High memory capacity (up to 128GB with ECC support)
• Multiple onboard storage interfaces (up to 6 SATA ports)
• Rich I/O including multiple serial ports, USB, and Ethernet
• Maximum processing power (up to 125W TDP processors)

Half-Size SHB (185 x 122 mm)

Half-size boards like the SHB250R deliver strong performance in a more compact format. The reduced footprint trades some I/O density for smaller chassis compatibility while maintaining full PCIe expansion through the backplane. Half-size boards suit systems where:

• Chassis depth is constrained
• Moderate I/O requirements can be met through expansion cards
• Cost optimization is a factor

Key Features

Processor Support

PICMG boards support Intel processors across performance tiers:

Intel Core i9/i7/i5/i3 (14th/13th/12th Gen): The SHB160 supports the latest Intel Core processors up to 125W TDP with Intel's hybrid performance/efficiency architecture. These processors deliver maximum single-threaded performance and multi-core throughput for demanding industrial applications.

Intel Core i7/i5/i3 (9th/8th Gen): The SHB150R and SHB250R support 9th- and 8th-generation Core processors, providing proven platform stability for applications where established reliability is preferred over cutting-edge performance.

Intel Xeon E: Available on the SHB150R and SHB250R with C246 chipset, Xeon E processors provide workstation-class features, including ECC memory support for applications requiring data integrity.

Intel Celeron: Entry-level processors on boards like the SHB215 provide cost-effective computing for basic control and monitoring applications where high processing power is not required.

Memory and Storage

Memory capacity: Full-size boards support substantial memory for data-intensive applications. The SHB160 supports up to 128GB of DDR5-4400 with ECC (R680E chipset), while the SHB150R and SHB250R support up to 64GB of DDR4.

Storage interfaces: Full-size boards provide multiple SATA-600 ports with RAID 0/1/5/10 support for redundant storage configurations. M.2 NVMe slots enable high-speed solid-state storage. The SHB160 includes an M.2 Key M slot with PCIe 4.0 x4 for maximum NVMe performance.

Networking and I/O

Ethernet: Dual Gigabit or 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed network connectivity. The SHB160 features dual 2.5GbE ports with Intel i226 controllers supporting TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) for industrial automation applications.

Serial ports: RS-232 and RS-232/422/485 ports for industrial equipment, PLCs, and legacy device communication.

USB: Multiple USB 3.2 Gen2, USB 3.2 Gen1, and USB 2.0 ports for peripherals, storage, and device connectivity.

Display: DVI-I and DisplayPort outputs for multi-monitor configurations. Triple display support on boards with C246/Q370/R680E chipsets.

Enterprise Features

Intel vPro and AMT: Remote management and out-of-band access for enterprise deployments (available with C246, Q370, Q670E, and R680E chipsets).

TPM 2.0: Trusted Platform Module for secure boot, disk encryption, and credential storage (optional on most boards).

Watchdog timer and hardware monitoring: System recovery from software faults and predictive maintenance through temperature/voltage monitoring.

Applications

PICMG architecture serves demanding applications across industries:

Industrial Automation: Factory control systems, SCADA platforms, and MES integration requiring maximum expansion for specialized I/O cards, motion controllers, and data acquisition. The modular architecture enables CPU upgrades without system redesign.

Machine Vision: Multi-camera inspection systems using frame grabber cards and GPU acceleration. PCIe x16 slots accommodate high-performance vision processing cards, while multiple PCIe slots support multi-camera configurations.

Test and Measurement: Automated test equipment (ATE), production testing, and laboratory instrumentation where long-term availability and expansion flexibility are critical. PICMG systems can accommodate multiple generations of test hardware without platform changes.

Defense and Aerospace: Command and control systems, radar processing, and data acquisition in environments requiring proven reliability, extended temperature operation, and long-term component availability.

Telecommunications: Network infrastructure, test equipment, and data center systems requiring high-bandwidth expansion and serviceability.

Medical Imaging: Diagnostic workstations and imaging systems requiring GPU acceleration, data integrity (ECC memory), and regulatory compliance supported by long-term component availability.

For applications that do not require PICMG expansion capacity, consider industrial ATX motherboards or Mini-ITX boards for more compact system designs.

Comparing PICMG to Other Architectures

Choose PICMG when your application requires maximum expansion capacity, field serviceability, or the ability to upgrade CPU generations without replacing the entire system. The modular architecture protects investment in expensive expansion cards and reduces maintenance complexity.

Chassis and Backplanes

PICMG systems require compatible industrial chassis with integrated backplanes. The Axiomtek AX61220TB is a 2U compact rackmount chassis designed for full-size PICMG 1.0 and PICMG 1.3 boards. Built from heavy-duty steel with optional hot-swap redundant power, the AX61220TB provides the rugged enclosure and expansion infrastructure for industrial deployments.

Featured Products

SHB160: Latest-generation PICMG 1.3 full-size board with 14th/13th/12th Gen Intel Core processors (up to 125W), DDR5 memory up to 128GB with ECC support (R680E chipset), PCIe 4.0 x16, dual 2.5GbE with TSN, and six SATA ports. The highest-performance option for AI, machine vision, and compute-intensive industrial applications.

SHB150R: PICMG 1.3 full-size board with 9th/8th Gen Intel Core or Xeon E processors, DDR4 memory up to 64GB, PCIe 3.0 x16, and rich I/O including six SATA ports and USB 3.1 Gen2. Proven platform for established applications requiring stability and long-term support.

SHB250R: PICMG 1.3 half-size board with 9th/8th Gen Intel Core or Xeon E processors, DDR4 SO-DIMM up to 64GB, and triple display support. Compact option for space-constrained systems.

HiCORE-i89Q (ARBOR): PICMG 1.3 full-size board with 6th/7th Gen Intel Core processors and Q170 chipset. Long-established platform for legacy system upgrades and applications requiring proven stability.

Your Strategic Partner in Industrial Computing

Westward Sales is more than a supplier; we are your strategic partner in industrial computing. PICMG systems represent a commitment to long-term serviceability, maximum expansion capacity, and platform longevity that standalone motherboards cannot match.

The modular architecture of PICMG protects your investment across system generations, reduces maintenance complexity, and provides the expansion flexibility to accommodate evolving application requirements. Our boards from Axiomtek and ARBOR are built for the demanding environments and duty cycles required by industrial applications.

Explore our full range of PICMG boards, compare specifications across processor generations, and contact our team to configure the right system for your application.