With the advancement of technology, the use of computers in industrial applications is also increasing. In the past, a large-sized device came to mind when we thought of a computer, while palm-sized devices can perform the same operations today. The use of PCs in industrial applications offers many advantages. With its high processing speed, it can quickly carry out complex calculations, connect your device to the internet, and provide you with a user interface with the touch screens we are familiar with from mobile phones. With the development of ARM processors, industrial PCs can now run in harsh environments where the temperature range is highly variable and magnetic noise is available. Linux and Android operating systems are usually used in industrial applications. Desktop operating systems require a certain level of hardware features to work, and Android and Linux operating systems have been developed for ARM processors that require much lower hardware. These operating systems can be configured based on the existing requirements thanks to their flexible structure. Although the processors used in mini PCs are manufactured by different brands, they use the same ARM architecture, which results in a common software language. The features that differ depending on the brand are the peripheral units and whether the product is industrial or commercial grade. Today, more processors with A7, A53, ARM9 architecture are used. There can be multiple cores in a processor, so multiple operations can be performed in parallel concurrently. According to the number of cores, it is called as single core(1), dual core(2), quad core(4), octa core(8). NXP i.mx6 and i.mx8 processors are usually preferred for industrial applications. i.mx8 processors feature M4 and M7 processors as secondary processors for real-time operations. PC boards are actually the systems whose development processes are long and demanding. Since they work at high frequencies, the impedance rules must be followed in PCB drawings. Due to the fact that the processors used in these boards are in a BGA case, the PCB is usually drawn as 4 or 8 layers. Many designs are being developed to pass EMC tests. Using a Mini PC speeds up the processes as carrying out these steps while developing a product will increase the project duration and staff requirements.
There are two important concepts in mini PCs: SBC (Single board computer) and SOM (System on module). SBCs are the devices, on which all the necessary hardware and ports are available. SOM modules, on the other hand, are the devices, on which only the necessary hardware such as processor, RAM, FLASH, PMU (Power Management Unit) are available, and there are no ports. In SBCs, they offer a ready-made solution for the user and the user does not need to make any development. However, they are not a flexible solution and offer the user a fixed hardware. SOM modules offer a flexible solution, but the user needs to make improvements to integrate SOM modules into their system. SOM modules are physically divided into two types as “socketed” and “solderable”. Models with sockets offer easy installation, and are easy to replace in case of malfunction. Solderable models, on the other hand, provide a thinner solution. By integrating the SOM module into its own board, the user can place the ports such as Ethernet, USB ports etc. as desired. SOM modules are also called Compute Modules. It is very important to correctly determine the characteristics of the SBC or SOM module that will be used when designing the product. According to the area of use, it is divided as “Industrial” grade and “Commercial” grade.
“Founded in 1999, India-based iWave serves its customers in the industrial, medical and automotive sectors.”
Industrial grade products can operate between -40 °C and +85 °C, and are suitable for use outdoor and under harsh conditions where magnetic noise is high. Commercial grade products are mostly used in indoor environments such as homes and offices. There are many different brands and models in the Mini PC market, and the price ranges of these products can vary quite a bit. One of the most important parameters affecting the cost of the product is how suitable the mini PC is for industrial applications, and although some solutions are affordable, they can also cause various problems under difficult environmental conditions. Another parameter is product continuity; products that are very popular in the market now may not be available after a few years. iWave offers a 10-year supply guarantee for the products it manufactures. Ozdisan Elektronik offers SBC and SOM module solutions for all kinds of requirements. iWave, which has signed a distributorship agreement with Ozdisan Elektronik, offers industrial grade SBC and SOM module solutions. Founded in 1999, India-based iWave serves its customers in the industrial, medical and automotive sectors.
