Embedded SBC for Industrial and IoT 

Welcome to Embedded SBC: Your Gateway to Smarter Edge Computing

Embedded Single Board Computers (SBCs) are transforming how we design and deploy intelligent systems across industries. From industrial automation and smart homes to advanced medical equipment and modern POS systems, SBCs provide the flexibility, scalability, and power efficiency required in today’s connected world.

This page provides an overview of key SBC concepts and introduces the various dimensions of embedded system design, including hardware platforms, display interfaces, operating systems, and custom development paths. Whether you’re an engineer, product manager, or developer, you’ll find insights to help guide your next embedded solution.

What Is an Embedded SBC?

An Embedded SBC is a compact, self-contained computer that integrates processing, memory, I/O, and storage onto a single PCB. Unlike general-purpose PCs, embedded SBCs are optimized for specific tasks such as controlling devices, gathering data, or displaying interfaces in real-time environments.

They are widely used in systems where space is limited, power efficiency is essential, and reliability is critical. Embedded SBCs often operate with long lifecycle support and are chosen for applications like industrial HMI panels, intelligent control systems, surveillance monitors, and smart retail kiosks.

🔧 Hardware Platforms

The choice of hardware platform is foundational to embedded system success. Common SoC platforms include:

• STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics offers low-power ARM Cortex-based platforms widely used in automotive, home automation, and industrial control applications. Known for their STM32 series, ST chips support real-time operations and extensive peripheral integration.

• Rockchip

Rockchip SBCs provide multimedia-focused solutions with powerful GPU and video decoding support. They are ideal for Android-based systems and feature-rich HMIs. Many industrial Android devices rely on Rockchip’s RK3566, PX30, and RK3399 platforms for cost-effective performance.

• Allwinner

Allwinner SoCs strike a balance between cost-efficiency and processing capability. Frequently chosen for smart displays, entry-level Android boards, and edge control devices, Allwinner supports both Android and Linux builds.

• NXP

NXP’s i.MX series is widely adopted in automotive, industrial, and medical embedded solutions. Their long-term availability and robust ecosystem make them ideal for certified and mission-critical deployments.

🎨 Display Interfaces

Embedded SBCs are designed to interface with various display types. Choosing the right display interface depends on resolution, refresh rate, cable length, and system complexity.

• HDMI

HDMI provides a high-definition digital video and audio interface, ideal for external monitors and media playback systems. It’s commonly used in digital signage, set-top boxes, and smart media centers.

• RGB Interface

RGB is a parallel interface that offers direct pixel control for TFT LCDs. It is widely used in industrial HMI screens and low-latency embedded displays. RGB is ideal for projects requiring high refresh rates without complex video decoding.

• LVDS Interface

LVDS is a differential signaling system ideal for medium-to-high resolution displays with long cable lengths. It is used in automotive dashboards, industrial displays, and medical monitors due to its low EMI and high stability.

• MIPI Interface

MIPI DSI is a high-speed serial interface that reduces pin count and supports high-resolution touch panels. Commonly used in modern smartphones, tablets, and compact control panels.

• eDP

Embedded DisplayPort offers power-efficient, scalable bandwidth with support for 4K+ displays. It is frequently used in newer embedded laptops and high-end HMIs that demand crisp visual quality.

⚙️ Operation Systems

The choice of OS greatly affects development flexibility, performance, and support ecosystem.

• Linux

Linux is the go-to platform for embedded development due to its modularity, real-time support (PREEMPT_RT), open-source drivers, and strong community. Developers often use Buildroot or Yocto to create minimal OS images optimized for embedded hardware.

• Android

Android is popular for consumer and commercial products requiring rich GUIs and app compatibility. From smart home control panels to POS devices, Android on Rockchip and Allwinner platforms enables rapid development with touchscreen support.

• RTOS

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) like FreeRTOS or Zephyr are used when deterministic timing and ultra-low power consumption are crucial. RTOS are ideal for automotive ECUs, medical instruments, and battery-powered devices.

🛠️ Custom Embedded Systems

Sometimes, off-the-shelf SBCs don’t meet your exact needs. Custom embedded SBCs allow engineers to tailor:

• CPU and RAM specs
  
  

• I/O interfaces (UART, CAN, GPIO, USB, Ethernet)
  
  

• Display compatibility
  
  

• Form factor and power regulation
  
  

• Bootloader and OS configuration
  
  

Designing a custom SBC ensures optimized cost-performance, better thermal control, and long-term maintainability in your specific product environment.

At Rocktech, for example, we work with clients to co-design boards based on Rockchip or Allwinner SoCs, offering BSP-level customization and full-stack Android/Linux adaptation.

🧩 Applications of Embedded SBCs

SBCs are widely adopted across various verticals. Below are some of the key application domains:

• Home Automation

SBCs are at the heart of smart lighting, HVAC control, security panels, and voice assistant hubs. Combined with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules, they enable intelligent control and remote monitoring.

• Industrial Control and HMI

Industrial environments rely on embedded SBCs for real-time control, data visualization, and communication with PLCs and sensors. They power factory dashboards, robotics controllers, and programmable HMIs.

• Medical Devices

Portable medical analyzers, patient monitors, and diagnostic equipment benefit from SBCs’ stability and graphical capabilities. SBCs enable fast data processing, touchscreen interfaces, and secure connectivity.

• Retail and Smart POS

SBCs support barcode scanning, payment processing, and inventory systems in modern POS terminals. They are designed to boot quickly, connect to peripherals, and handle customer interactions reliably.

🌐 Explore More Opportunities in Embedded SBC Development

Whether you’re designing for factory automation, smart IoT hubs, or medical equipment, embedded SBCs form the backbone of modern edge computing. For deeper insight, check out the following resources:

🔗 Rocktech’s Embedded Single Board Computers

      Learn how Rocktech provides customized SBC solutions for industrial and embedded applications — from prototyping to mass production.

• 🧭 Dev Discussions on SBCs
  Community-sourced answers and insights into real-world SBC deployments.

• Learn more about SBCs on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-board_computer