Single-board computers (SBCs) are compact, all-in-one PCs built on a single circuit board – combining processor, memory, storage, and I/O interfaces. Unlike modular desktop PCs, SBCs use highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) designs (often ARM-based), minimising size and power consumption. This makes them ideal for embedded and IoT applications: SBCs can run Linux or real-time OS, and support wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) networking. For engineers, SBCs simplify hardware design because the CPU, GPU, and peripherals are soldered onto one board – no separate graphics card or disk drive to install. They often include rich GPIO headers and common connectors (HDMI, USB, I²C, SPI, UART, etc.), enabling direct attachment of sensors, cameras, and industrial I/O devices.
Figure: A Raspberry Pi single-board computer, a popular choice for prototyping and embedded design. SBCs bring PC-like capabilities into tight spaces and specific tasks. Modern SBCs blur the line between hobbyist boards and industrial controllers. Industrial-rated SBCs (e.g. rugged Arduino or Raspberry Pi variants) are now used in machine controllers, industrial PCs, IIoT gateways and even soft-PLC solutions.
Key Applications of SBCs in Engineering and Industry
SBCs are leveraged across electronics design, development kits and automation. Typical uses include:
- Industrial Automation & Control: SBCs with proper enclosures can serve as PLC replacements or IoT controllers on factory floors. They monitor sensors, manage actuators (motors, valves), and gather data. For example, a machinery control panel might use an SBC to handle sensor input and provide a web HMI. Modern SBC-based “PLC” kits (from Arduino or KUNBUS) even support real-time I/O and Ethernet-based fieldbus protocols. Many factories still operate PLC-controlled environments written in legacy C, C++, or proprietary automation languages. As organisations migrate toward Industry 4.0 architectures, engineers are increasingly exploring AI-assisted code transformation techniques to accelerate refactoring and reduce regression risks. A detailed technical overview of this approach can be found in this guide to AI-assisted code migration.
- IoT Gateways and Edge Computing: Their connectivity (Ethernet/Wi-Fi) makes SBCs ideal for aggregating sensor data and performing local analytics. Companies embed SBCs at the network edge to preprocess data before cloud upload. Their low power draw suits battery-backed IoT deployments (e.g. remote monitoring).
- Prototyping and Development Kits: Engineers and students use SBCs (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Jetson Nano, etc.) to quickly prototype circuits and systems. The integrated GPIO and rich ecosystems (pip installable libraries, camera modules, displays) accelerate development. SBC “hats” and shields provide pre-built connectors and breakout interfaces for analog, digital I/O, CAN bus, and more.
- Robotics and Vision: Compact SBCs power robots, drones, and vision systems. With GPU or AI accelerators (e.g. Raspberry Pi’s Neural Compute Stick, NVIDIA Jetson boards), they can run computer vision tasks (object detection, navigation) in real time. Their small size fits mobile robots and UAVs.
- Wireless Systems and Networking: SBCs often include wireless modules. For instance, Raspberry Pi models have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling them to serve as wireless sensors or gateways in smart buildings. They can host software-defined radios or Zigbee/LoRa hats for IoT connectivity.
- Education and Maker Projects: SBCs like Raspberry Pi have transformed STEM education by giving students affordable access to full computers. Experimenting with circuits, coding, and networking on an SBC fosters understanding of embedded electronics.
Electronics designers also appreciate that SBCs eliminate complex integration work. As Logic-Fruit notes, SBCs combine CPU, memory, storage, and I/O onto one board, “minimising integration complexity and time”. Engineers can focus on peripherals and software instead of building custom motherboards. This rapid prototyping capability makes SBCs useful for designing new products where time-to-market is critical.
SBC vs. Traditional PC and PLC
While SBCs have computing power, their design differs from desktops. According to NextPCB, SBCs sacrifice peak performance and modularity for efficiency. They typically use ARM processors (low-power RISC chips) and have fixed components soldered onto the board. This means nearly all features (Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB ports) come pre-integrated, which is great for embedded tasks but limits upgrades. In contrast, a PC uses replaceable parts (GPU, RAM sticks) and usually an x86 CPU for maximum speed. Power consumption reflects this: SBCs often run on just a few watts (even via USB-C power), whereas a PC may need tens or hundreds of watts.
In automation, SBCs bridge the gap between microcontrollers and full PCs. They offer far more processing ability than typical 8-bit or 32-bit microcontroller dev kits, enabling complex computing (databases, web servers, ML inference) at the edge. Yet they come in tougher, industrial variants (with extended temperature ranges, galvanic isolation on I/O, etc.) to withstand factory conditions. For example, the Industrial Shields Arduino PLC (see figure) uses an SBC at its core but provides 24V I/O channels and DIN-rail mounting for real-world machinery.
Development Environments and Connectivity
Engineers benefit from familiar toolchains on SBCs. Many boards run Linux, offering access to tools like GCC, Python, Node-RED and even Docker. Industrial SBCs can be programmed using IEC 61131-3 languages or common programming languages. For example, an Arduino-based SBC PLC can be programmed via the Arduino IDE (in C/C++) or with ladder logic in an IEC-compliant PLC IDE.
GPIO libraries (WiringPi, RPi.GPIO) and communication interfaces (SPI, I²C) let designers interface sensors, motors, and digital buses easily.
Modern SBCs also include advanced connectivity. Most have Ethernet ports (often with PoE support), Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth and sometimes cellular modules. This makes wireless integration straightforward. Edge computing tasks – like streaming video from a camera or connecting to MQTT brokers – are done natively. Secure IoT protocols (TLS) can run on board. In many cases, SBCs support wireless firmware updates (OTA) with hardware security, ensuring field devices stay patched without manual intervention.
Real-World Use Cases and Case Studies
In factories and labs, SBCs are enabling innovative solutions. For instance, engineers can use a Pi or BeagleBone as an HMI controller, displaying machine status on HDMI screens while communicating with PLCs over Modbus/TCP. In one case, a chocolate manufacturer uses a Raspberry Pi to capture inventory data each morning, automating quality checks across apps. In agriculture, weather stations built on SBCs collect sensor data and wirelessly transmit it to control systems, blending IoT and automation. In education and prototyping, SBCs democratize hardware design: students build IoT gateways and robotic prototypes without expensive equipment.
Engineers often combine SBCs with connectors and wireless modules for custom solutions. For example, an SBC can host a LoRaWAN or NB-IoT hat to send sensor readings from remote equipment to cloud services. In electronics design, SBCs accelerate board bring-up: designers write software on a Pi to test a new PCB interface or protocol. The widespread support (thousands of open-source libraries) means chances are high that any sensor or device has example code available. This accelerates hardware validation cycles significantly.
Conclusion
Single-board computers have transformed how engineers approach embedded and industrial projects. By packing a full computer on one board with rich I/O and connectivity, SBCs offer a versatile platform for electronics design, automation, IoT, and more. Their compact size and low power draw allow integration into tight spaces (e.g. inside sensors or on DIN-rails), while powerful SoCs enable complex tasks (AI inference, data logging, network routing). As the market grows, engineers benefit from a wider range of SBC options tailored for specific needs (rugged, wireless-enabled, AI-optimised). Integrating SBCs into development kits and prototypes accelerates innovation, and even on the production line, these boards are reshaping controllers and gateways for Industry 4.0 and beyond.
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