SOC (System on Chip) and Single Board Computer

Day by day, new technologies and standard products are being released. Companies are under pressure to keep up, competing with the latest and fastest inventions. A common question in engineering seminars is whether to choose a SoC (System on Chip) or an SBC (Single Board Computer) for a project, considering the trade-offs of that choice. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and this article will help you consider important features before making a design choice for a system on chip versus a single board computer.

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Major Differences Between These Technologies

The difference between these two includes the definitions, advantages, disadvantages, and their primary distinctions.

What is a System on Chip (SoC)?

A system on chip incorporates multiple system components into a single chip. It typically includes memory, various peripherals (like UART, SPI, USB, I2C, PCI, SATA), and an application processor. Essentially, a SoC puts all the required electronic components of a system, such as a smartphone or portable computer, onto one IC (integrated circuit).

An audio detection device using a SoC might combine an ADC, an audio receiver, memory, a microprocessor, and I/O logic control on a single chip. Applications of SoC technology are found in small, complex consumer devices, some possessing more memory and processing power than a typical desktop computer.

SoC-based nanorobots could potentially act as programmable antibodies to fend off early-stage diseases. SoC video devices could be implanted in the brains of blind people, allowing them to see, and SoC audio devices could help deaf people to hear. The SoC market is growing alongside other technologies like SOI (silicon-on-insulator), enhancing clock speeds and reducing power consumption.

Advantages of SoC

The goal of using a system on a chip in design is to build a complete system with minimal external components.

Size: Compact with many features and functions.

Flexibility: High flexibility in terms of chip size, power, and form factor.

Cost-efficient: Particularly beneficial for application-specific SoCs, like video codecs, as it can be cheaper than implementing the function in software.

High Volume: Ideal for high-volume products as it justifies the engineering costs and resources.

Disadvantages of SoC

Time-consuming: Designing an SoC can take 6 to 12 months.

Resource limitations: Not suitable if you lack resources or skills.

Lower volume: For low-volume products, other designs may be more appropriate, allowing better use of time and resources on application software.

What is a Single Board Computer (SBC)?

An SBC is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, featuring memory, a microprocessor, I/O, and other essential components. Initially developed for education and embedded systems, SBCs now integrate all necessary functions onto a single PCB (printed circuit board).

Unlike a desktop PC, SBCs generally do not rely on expansion slots for peripherals. Some are designed to plug into a backplane for additional system expansion. Various SBCs use a range of microprocessors, from low-cost 8/16-bit processors in hobbyist projects to powerful processors in blade servers.

Advantages of SBC

Easy to use: User-friendly and simple to deploy.

Verified hardware: Reduces the risk of costly design errors.

Adaptable: Can be tailored to specific needs.

Single source: Simplifies logistics by reducing the complexity of the BOM (Bill of Materials).

Time to market: Faster to design compared to SoC.

Disadvantages of SBC

Price: May be costlier in high-volume categories compared to a custom design.

Flexibility: If extensive customization is needed, a system on chip may be a better option.

Knowledge: For long-term use across multiple products, the investment in understanding SoC technology can be worthwhile.

Main Differences between Soc and SBC

• A SoC incorporates multiple functional units on a single silicon chip, often including several processors and peripherals.
• An SBC is a complete personal computer on a single PCB, including RAM, CPU, and non-volatile memory.
• While a SoC is a crucial component in an SBC, the two are fundamentally different in design and application.
• SoCs are widely used in the embedded industry due to their small form factor, computational efficiency, and low power consumption.
• SBCs come with built-in hardware and software, including power requirements, memory, connectivity interfaces, and real-world multimedia connectors.

Thus, this covers the main differences between the system on chip and single-board computers. We hope this provides a better understanding of the concepts. For further queries or to implement electrical and electronic projects in engineering, please leave your comments below. Want more details on single board computer vs microcontroller? Contact us for expert consultation!