A single board computer (SBC) is a computer with all components on one circuit board. They are often used in larger devices and come in various sizes. SBCs can be PC compatible and are used in various fields. They are also popular among hobbyists and educators for electronic and computer projects.
A single board computer (SBC) is a type of computer with all of its components built on a single circuit board. The size of an SBC can range from the size of a credit card to the size of a video game console. They are often incorporated into larger devices such as ATMs, industrial and medical equipment, or robotic devices. Since the mid-2000s, inexpensive single-board computers have been used by educators and hobbyists.
Desktop and even laptop (PC) personal computers usually have separate components connected to a central circuit by cables or buses. A single board computer packs all the necessary components, including the microprocessor, memory and storage, onto a single circuit board. Many SBCs are designed to be PC compatible and use the same processors, memory, and graphics chips as standard PCs. Other units include different types of hardware and some have a microcontroller, a specialized processor with integrated input/output functions. Some SBCs are expandable or partially reconfigurable, while others are stuck with what they shipped with.
The size of a single board computer can vary greatly, but most are much smaller than a typical PC. The first devices of this type, introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, were usually found in educational or development computers and were quite large. Since then, the trend has been toward smaller SBCs, ranging from just under the size of a credit card to about the size of a Blu-Ray® player. They can come in standard and non-standard sizes, and some are even built to be the same size as a regular PC expansion card or memory module.
Single board computers are commonly housed within a larger device or product, thus providing additional intelligence or controlling the functions of machinery or equipment. ATMs, cash registers, touch screen kiosks and many other machines and devices often house an integrated single board computer. They are also used in industrial computers and automation equipment, robotics, medical devices and many other fields. Due to the number of possible uses, SBCs are available in a variety of configurations and many manufacturers custom build machines for a specific need or industrial application.
By the mid-2000s, the cost of computer components had dropped enough to bring the single-board computer within reach of the hobbyist community. Several companies now specialize in low-cost yet versatile SBCs for use in amateur electronics and computer projects. These devices can be used on their own to introduce students to computer programming or as part of a larger platform such as a robot or interactive art exhibit.
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