SYSTEM-ON-MODULE

A computer-on-module (COM) or System on Module (SOM) is a type of single-board computer (SBC), a subtype of an embedded computer system. An extension of the concept of system on chip (SoC) and system in package (SiP), COM lies between a full-up computer and a microcontroller in nature.

Today's COM modules are complete embedded computers built on a single circuit board. The design is centered on a microprocessor with RAM, input/output controllers and all other features needed to be a functional computer on the one board. However, unlike a single-board computer, the COM will usually lack the standard connectors for any input/output peripherals to be attached directly to the board. The module will usually need to be mounted on a carrier board (or "baseboard") which breaks the bus out to standard peripheral connectors. Some COMs also include peripheral connectors and/or can be used without a carrier. A COM solution offers a dense package computer system for use in small or specialized applications requiring low power consumption or small physical size as is needed inembedded systems. As a COM is very compact and highly integrated, even complex CPUs, including multicore technology, can be realized on a COM. Using a carrier board is a benefit in many cases, as it can implement special I/O interfaces, memory devices, connectors or form factors. Separating the design of the carrier board and COM makes design concepts more modular, if needed. A carrier tailored to a special application may involve high design overhead by itself. If the actual processor and main I/O controllers are located on a COM, it is much easier, for example, to upgrade a CPU component to the next generation, without having to redesign a very specialized carrier as well. This can save costs and shorten development times. On the other

hand, this only works if the board-to-board connection between the COM and its carrier remains compatible between upgrades. Some devices also incorporate Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) components. FPGAbased functions can be added as IP cores to the COM itself or to the carrier card. Using FPGA IP cores adds to the modularity of a COM concept, because I/O functions can be adapted to special needs without extensive rewiring on the printed circuit board. The terms "Computer-on-Module" and "COM" were coined by VDC Research Group, Inc. (formerly Venture Development Corporation) (Natick, MA, USA) to describe this class of embedded computer boards. The term became more notable upon industry standardization of the COM Express format.

Embedded System Module, or ESM, is a compact computer-on-module (COM) standard. An ESM module typically includes a CPU processor, memory, module-specific I/O interfaces and a number of basic front I/O connectors. They can be plugged on a carrier board or be used as a stand-alone processor card. If the ESM module is plugged on a carrier, it relies on the standard PCI bus as a board-to-board interface. In this case two connectors create a link to the carrier. While the "J1" connector provides a specified PCI connection, the "J2" connector brings I/O signals from the ESM module to the carrier, which then includes all necessary connectors. The signal assignment of J2 is not fixed but can be completely customized, although there are reserved pins for a 64-bit PCI bus interface. A third connector, "J3", is used for additional I/O signals if the ESM module has no front I/O. The signal assignment of this connector is fixed to support a special set of I/O functions.

A large part of the I/O functions on ESMs are often controlled by an onboard FPGAcomponent (field-programmable gate array) so that every module can easily be tailored to a specialized application through user-defined functions. Such functions are loaded into the FPGA as IP cores. Using FPGAs also reduces dependence on special controller chips which may become obsolete, thus extending the card's availability. ESMs are typically used on boards for CompactPCI and VMEbus as well as single-board computers for embedded applications. A company standard by MEN Micro, a manufacturer of embedded computers, specifies the ESM concept and the different types of modules. The ESM specification defines one form factor for the printed circuit board: 149 71 mm (5.9 2.8 in). Depending on the processor type, most ESM modules have heat sinks and can be operated in wide temperature ranges up to -40 to +85 C. A mechanical specialty of ESM modules is that their connectors are compatible with the PCI104 module standard. These modules can be "stacked" onto ESM modules, e. g., for additional peripheral interfaces.

SOM2416-II-440

SOM3530

SOM3517

e-con Systems, eSOM3730 Computer-on-Module

DHCOM Computer On Module with AM35x Processor, DH electronics

Toradex Colibri T30 Computer On Module

Gumstix Overo COM, a tiny, OMAP-based COM

SOM, OMAP / Marvell / Cortex-A8-based COM

Variscite's SOMs are complete computers built on a single circuit board. The design is centered on a single microprocessor with RAM, input/output controllers and all other features needed to be a functional computer on the one board. However, unlike a single-board computer, the COM module will usually lack the standard connectors for any input/output peripherals to be attached directly to the board. Instead, the wiring for these peripherals are bussed out to connectors on the board. The SOM requires to be mounted on a carrier board (or "baseboard") which breaks the bus out to standard peripheral connectors. Variscite's SOMs offer a dense package computer system for use in small or specialized applications requiring low power consumption or small physical size as is needed in embedded systems Variscite's SOMs are low-power, high performance System-on-Modules which serve as building blocks and easily integrate into any embedded solution. They include an extensive range of interfaces and communication protocols and are ready to run any embedded operating system such as Linux and Windows Embedded CE Variscite SOMs are widely used in a variety of industrial fields such as: Medical, Agriculture, Industrial computing, Military and consumer products.

Typical

SOM

block

diagram:

Variscite's latest and recommended SOMs:

DART-4460 Texas Instruments OMAP4460 based on OMAP4460, 1.5GHz Dual-Core CortexA9.Thefastest ARM System on Module on the market today.

The DART-4460, offers an ideal solution for a wide range of applications which require rich multimedia functionality as well as high-processing power. This compact, cost effective and low consumption SoM offers a performance level of an Intel Atom.

VAR-SOM-OM44 - Texas Instruments OMAP4460 based on OMAP4460, 1.5GHz Dual-Core Cortex-A9. The fastest ARM System on Module on the market today. The VAR-SOM-OM44, offers an ideal solution for a wide range of

applications which require rich multimedia functionality as well as high-processing power. This compact, cost effective and low consumption SoM offers a performance level of an Intel Atom.

VAR-SOM-MX6 - Supporting the i.MX 6 Quad/Dual/DualLite/Single, the VAR-SOM-MX6 allows designers to use a single System on Module in a broad range of applications to achieve short time-to-market for their current innovations, while still accommodating potential R&D directions and marketing opportunities. This versatile solutions -40 to 85 C temperature range and Dual CAN support is ideal for industrial applications, while 1080p video and graphics accelerations make it equally suitable for intensive multimedia applications.

VAR-SOM-AM33 - Texas Instruments AM335X based System-on-Module. Recommended for low cost designs.

VAR-SOM-OM37 - Texas Instruments AM3703 / DM3730 based System-on-Module The VAR-SOM-OM37 is a low-power, high performance System-on-module which serves as a building block and easily integrates into any embedded solution. It includes an extensive range of interfaces and communication protocols and is ready to run any embedded operating system such as Linux and Windows Embedded CE.

VAR-SOM-AM35 - Texas Instruments AM3505 / AM3517 based System-on-Module. Recommended for industrial applications.

VAR-SOM-MX25 - Freescale i.MX25based System-on-Module The VAR-SOM-MX25 is a cost optimized, highly integrated, low-power System-On-Module which serves as a building block and easily integrates into any embedded solution. It includes all vital peripherals / interfaces and is ready to run any embedded operating system such as Linux, Windows Embedded CE.

VAR-SOM-OM35 - Texas Instruments OMAP3530 based System-on-Module The VAR-SOM-OM35 is a low-power, high performance System-on-module which serves as a building block and easily integrates into any embedded solution. It includes an extensive range of interfaces and communication protocols and is ready to run any embedded operating system such as Linux and Windows Embedded CE.

A single-board computer (SBC) is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, with microprocessor(s), memory,input/output (I/O) and other features required of a functional computer. Single-board computers were made as demonstration or development systems, for educational systems, or for use as embedded computer controllers. Many types of home computer or portable computer integrated all their functions onto a single printed circuit board. Unlike a desktop personal computer, single board computers often did not rely on expansion slots for peripheral functions or expansion. Some single-board computers are made to plug into a backplane for system expansion. Single board computers have been built using a wide range of microprocessors. Simple designs, such as built by computer hobbyists, often use static RAM and low-cost eight or 16 bit processors. Other types, such as blade servers, include all the memory and processor performance of a server computer in a compact space-saving format.

Single board computers were made possible by increasing density of integrated circuits. A single-board configuration reduces a system's overall cost, by reducing the number of circuit boards required, and by eliminating connectors and bus driver circuits that would otherwise be used. By putting all the functions on one board, a smaller overall system can be obtained, for example, as in notebook computers. Connectors are a frequent source of reliability problems, so a single-board system eliminates these problems.[1] Single board computers are now commonly defined across two distinct architectures: no slots and slot support. Embedded SBCs are units providing all the required I/O with no provision for plug-in cards. Applications are typically gaming (slot machines, video poker), kiosk, and machine control. Embedded SBCs are much smaller than the ATX-type motherboard found in PCs, and provide an I/O mix more targeted to an industrial application, such as on-board digital and analog I/O, on-board bootable flash memory (eliminating the need for a disk drive), no video, etc.

The term "Single Board Computer" now generally applies to an architecture where the single board computer is plugged into a backplane to provide for I/O cards. In the case ofPC104, the bus is not a backplane in the traditional sense but is a series of pin connectors allowing I/O boards to be stacked. Single board computers are most commonly used in industrial situations where they are used in rackmount format for process control or embedded within other devices to provide control and interfacing. Because of the very high levels of integration, reduced component counts and reduced connector counts, SBCs are often smaller, lighter, more power efficient and more reliable than comparable multi-board computers. The primary advantage of an ATX motherboard as compared to an SBC is cost. Motherboards are manufactured by the millions for the consumer and office markets allowing tremendous economies of scale. Single Board Computers, on the other hand, are in a specialized market niche and are manufactured in much smaller numbers with the resultant higher cost. Motherboards and SBCs now offer similar levels of feature integration meaning that a motherboard failure in either standard will require equivalent replacement. The primary advantage of a PICMG Single Board Computer is the availability of backplanes offering virtually any slot configuration including legacy ISA support. Motherboards tend to the latest slot technology such that PCI slots are becoming legacy support with PCI Express becoming the standard. In addition, motherboards offer, at most, 7 slots while backplanes can offer up to 20 slots. In a backplane 12.3" wide, similar in size to an ATX motherboard at 12", a backplane with a Single Board Computer can offer 12 slots for I/O cards with virtually any mix of slot types.[

An embedded system is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints.[1][2] It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal computer (PC), is designed to be flexible and to meet a wide range of end-user needs. Embedded systems control many devices in common use today.[3] Modern embedded systems are often based on microcontrollers (i.e CPUs with integrated memory and/or peripheral interfaces)[4] but ordinary microprocessors (using external chips for memory and peripheral interface circuits) are also still common, especially in more complex systems. In either case, the processor(s) used may be types ranging from rather general purpose to very specialised in certain class of computations, or even custom designed for the application at hand. A common standard class of dedicated processors is the digital signal processor (DSP). The key characteristic, however, is being dedicated to handle a particular task. Since the embedded system is dedicated to specific tasks, design engineers can optimize it to reduce the size and cost of the product and increase the reliability and performance. Some embedded systems are mass-produced, benefiting from economies of scale. Physically, embedded systems range from portable devices such as digital watches and MP3 players, to large stationary installations like traffic lights, factory controllers, and largely complex systems like hybrid vehicles, MRI, and avionics. Complexity varies from low, with a single microcontroller chip, to very high with multiple units, peripherals and networks mounted inside a large chassis or enclosure.

Embedded systems are commonly found in consumer, cooking, industrial, automotive, medical, commercial and military applications. Telecommunications systems employ numerous embedded systems from telephone switches for the network to cell phones at the end-user. Computer networking uses

dedicated routers and network bridges to route data.

Consumer

electronics include personal

digital

assistants (PDAs), mp3

players,

mobile

phones, videogame consoles, digital cameras,DVD players, GPS receivers, and printers. Many household appliances, such as microwave ovens, washing machines and dishwashers, include embedded systems to provide flexibility, efficiency and features. Advanced HVAC systems use networked thermostats to more accurately and efficiently control temperature that can change by time of day and season. Home automation uses wired- and wireless-networking that can be used to control lights, climate, security, audio/visual, surveillance, etc., all of which use embedded devices for sensing and controlling. Transportation systems from flight to automobiles increasingly use embedded systems. New airplanes contain advanced avionics such as inertial guidance systems and GPS receivers that also have considerable safety requirements. Various electric motors brushless DC motors, induction motors and DC motors use electric/electronic motor

controllers. Automobiles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles increasingly use embedded systems to maximize efficiency and reduce pollution. Other automotive safety systems include anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC/ESP), traction

control (TCS) and automatic four-wheel drive. Medical equipment uses embedded systems for vital signs monitoring, electronic

stethoscopes for amplifying sounds, and various medical imaging (PET, SPECT, CT, MRI) for non-invasive internal inspections. Embedded systems within medical equipment are often powered by industrial computers.[6] Embedded systems are used in transportation, fire safety, safety and security, medical applications and life critical systems, as these systems can be isolated from hacking and thus, be more reliable.[citation needed] For fire safety, the systems can be designed to have greater ability to handle higher temperatures and continue to operate. In dealing with security, the embedded systems can be self-sufficient and be able to deal with cut electrical and communication systems. A new class of miniature wireless devices called motes are quickly gaining popularity as the field of wireless sensor networking is increasing. Wireless sensor networking, WSN, makes use of miniaturization made possible by advanced IC design to couple full wireless subsystems to sophisticated sensors, enabling people and companies to measure a myriad of things in the physical world and act on this information through IT monitoring and control systems. These

motes are completely self-contained, and will typically run of a battery source for many years before the batteries need to be changed or charged. Embedded Wi-Fi modules provide a simple means of wirelessly enabling any device which communicates via a serial port.

A system on a chip or system on chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (IC) that integrates all components of a computer or otherelectronic system into a single chip. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functionsall on a single chipsubstrate. A typical application is in the area of embedded systems. The contrast with a microcontroller is one of degree. Microcontrollers typically have under 100 kB of RAM (often just a few kilobytes) and often really are single-chip-systems, whereas the term SoC is typically used for more powerful processors, capable of running software such as the desktop versions of Windows and Linux, which need external memory chips (flash, RAM) to be useful, and which are used with various external peripherals. In short, for larger systems, the term system on a chip is a hyperbole, indicating technical direction more than reality: increasing chip integration to reduce manufacturing costs and to enable smaller systems. Many interesting systems are too complex to fit on just one chip built with a process optimized for just one of the system's tasks. When it is not feasible to construct a SoC for a particular application, an alternative is a system in package (SiP) comprising a number of chips in a single package. In large volumes, SoC is believed to be more cost-effective than SiP since it increases the yield of the fabrication and because its packaging is simpler.[1] Another option, as seen for example in higher end cell phones and on the BeagleBoard, is package on package stacking during board assembly. The SoC chip includes processors and numerous digital peripherals, and comes in a ball grid package with lower and upper connections. The lower balls connect to the board and various peripherals, with the upper balls in

a ring holding the memory buses used to access NAND flash and DDR2 RAM. Memory packages could come from multiple vendors.

Structure[edit]

Microcontroller-based system on a chip A typical SoC consists of:

A microcontroller, microprocessor or DSP core(s).

Some

SoCscalled multiprocessor

system on chip (MPSoC)include more than one processor core.

Memory blocks including a selection of ROM, RAM, EEPROM and flash memory.

Timing sources including oscillators and phase-locked loops. Peripherals including counter-timers, real-time timers and power-on reset generators. External interfaces including as USB, FireWire, Ethernet, USART, SPI. industry standards such

Analog interfaces including ADCs and DACs. Voltage regulators and power management circuits.

These blocks are connected by either a proprietary or industry-standard bus such as the AMBA bus from ARM Holdings. DMAcontrollers route data directly between

external interfaces and memory, bypassing the processor core and thereby increasing the data throughput of the SoC. Design flow[edit]

System-on-a-chip design flow A SoC consists of both the hardware described above, and the software controlling the microcontroller, microprocessor or DSPcores, peripherals and interfaces. The design flow for a SoC aims to develop this hardware and software in parallel.

Most SoCs are developed from pre-qualified hardware blocks for the hardware elements described above, together with thesoftware drivers that control their operation. Of particular importance are the protocol stacks that drive industry-standard interfaces like USB. The hardware blocks are put together using CAD tools; the software modules are integrated using asoftware-development environment. Chips are verified for logical correctness before being sent to foundry. This process is called functional verification and it accounts for a significant portion of the time and energy expended in the chip design life cycle (although the often quoted figure of 70% is probably an exaggeration).[2] With the growing complexity of chips, hardware verification

languages likeSystemVerilog, SystemC, e, and OpenVera are being used. Bugs found in the verification stage are reported to the designer. Traditionally, engineers have employed simulation acceleration, emulation and/or an FPGA prototype to verify and debug both hardware and software for SoC designs prior to tapeout. With high capacity and fast compilation time, acceleration and emulation are powerful technologies that provide wide visibility into systems. Both technologies, however, operate slowly, on the order of MHz, which may be significantly slower up to 100 slower than the SoCs operating frequency. Acceleration and emulation boxes are also very large and expensive at $1M+. FPGA prototypes, in contrast, use FPGAs directly to enable engineers to validate and test at, or close to, a systems full operating frequency with real-world stimulus. Tools such as Certus[3] are used to insert probes in the FPGA RTL that make signals available for observation. This is used to debug hardware, firmware and software interactions across multiple FPGA with capabilities similar to a logic analyzer. After debug the hardware of the SoC follows the place-and-route phase of the design of an integrated circuit or ASIC before it is fabricated.

Conclusion

A System-on module (SoM) offers a unique approach to product development and the often fully custom electronics typically contained within sophisticated devices. A SoM helps system designers realize a fully customized electronics assembly, complete with custom interfaces and form factor without the effort of a ground-up electronics design. Customers can purchase an offthe-shelf SoM and marry it to an easy to develop custom base board to create a solution functionally identical to one that is fully custom-engineered. This method reduces product development costs while decreasing shortening time to market and technical risk. Critical Link provides a range of SoM offerings in its MityDSP family. The MityDSP is a series of highlyconfigurable, small form factor embedded CPU engines. These combine DSP and/or FPGA and/or ARM processors that are optimized for custom data collection and processing, and meet the needs of a broad range of scientific and industrial applications. More on SoM The system on module, which is sometimes referred to as a computer-on module (CoM), is designed to plug into a carrier, or base board, and is generally a small processor module with a CPU and standard I/O capability. The complex effort associated with designing a CPU subsystem is avoided by using SoM functionality and a custom base board. There are two SoM families. There are a number of benefits to the SoM approach vs. ground-up development. These include cost savings, reduced risk, a variety of CPU choices, decreased customer design requirements, a small footprint, and, since software developers can use off the shelf hardware with the same processing core as the finished product, the ability to perform hardware and software development in parallel.