What is an x86 embedded motherboard

　　X86 embedded motherboard is a type of embedded motherboard, characterized by its small size and stable parameters. It can also be divided into multiple categories, each corresponding to different scenarios and functional requirements. Therefore, in actual screening, we need to distinguish them. Next, let's learn about some related text about X86 embedded motherboards together. We will provide a detailed introduction to embedded motherboards, their classification, and relevant information about X86 motherboards.

　　1、 What is x86 embedded motherboard and how to choose it

　　It is the motherboard of industrial control computers, with very small size specifications. Generally, the CPU and display chip are directly integrated into the motherboard, not for ordinary computer users. It is only installed on some industrial control computers, such as ATM machines. As for how to choose not to exist, most people do not use this statement.

　　Embedded microcomputer industrial control technology is a very economical and practical automation technology that has emerged and developed in computer application practice since the 20th century. It integrates electrical, mechanical, computer, communication and other technologies. It has the characteristics of fast speed, flexible working mode, high reliability, strong information processing ability, low cost, and wide applicability. It has been widely used in the industrial field, and powerful 32-bit embedded microprocessors are selected to replace 8-bit microcontrollers.

　　2、 Classification of Embedded Motherboards

　　Embedded motherboard is generally understood as the CPU board embedded in the device for control and data processing, which is the "brain" of the device. Embedded into the device, of course, there are strict requirements for the size and power consumption of the motherboard (heat dissipation issues of embedded motherboards). So generally speaking, embedded motherboards have characteristics such as small size, high integration, and low power consumption! There are generally two common types of embedded motherboards: X86 based embedded motherboards and RISC based ARM embedded motherboards (authorized by ARM company, each chip manufacturer has its own special functions). Embedded ARM boards are generally onboard CPUs, while motherboards based on x86 CPUs may not necessarily be.

　　There are two major architectures for standard embedded systems, with the current dominant being the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processor. The RISC architecture has a wide range of factions, including ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, ARC, Tensilica, and others, all of which belong to the category of RISC processors. However, although these processors also belong to the RISC architecture, they have different instruction set designs and processing unit structures, so they are completely incompatible with each other. Software developed on a specific platform cannot be directly used on another hardware platform and must be recompiled.

　　Secondly, there is the CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) processor system, which includes the well-known Intel X86 processor. The CISC system is actually a very inefficient system, with too much burden on its instruction set structure and a desire for completeness, resulting in a significant increase in the complexity of the chip structure. The X86 processors used in embedded systems in the past were mostly older generation products, such as the Pentium 3 processor, which had already exited the personal computer market several years ago and is still commonly found in industrial computers. Due to the performance to power ratio of this generation's products, which can be said to be the sweet spot of the X86 system in the past, coupled with its long-term market validation and high stability, it is often applied in applications with low performance requirements but high stability requirements, such as industrial control equipment and other products.

　　3、 Relevant information about X86 motherboard

　　Generally speaking, there are several types:

　　Common types of embedded motherboards include 3.5-inch boards, PC104 boards, MINI-ITX, PICO-ITX, NANO-ITX, ETX, etc.

　　Usually, motherboards come with VGA interfaces (some embedded motherboards may have DVI, HMD, LVDS/TTL and other display interfaces, with LVDS/TTL used to connect to LCD displays); Motherboards with 945 chipset or above can also support asynchronous dual display, USB interface (low-end motherboards can generally only connect to storage using USB drives, mainly depending on whether the system has USB configured drivers), keyboard/mouse, parallel port, serial port (usually with multiple serial ports, many devices also control and communicate through serial ports) IDE interface (high-end motherboards usually have SATA interfaces), network port, GPIO port, etc., usually also have a functional expansion interface such as PC104, PCI104, MINI-PCI, etc., storage expansion interface such as CF card interface (low-end motherboards also have DOC interface).

　　The volume of the 3.5-inch embedded motherboard series is only equivalent to the size of a 3-inch hard drive. (There are low-end motherboards with onboard CPUs, as well as non onboard ones.); Motherboards are generally able to support Windows systems, so their performance is generally higher than PC104 motherboards. Common PC104 motherboards are usually powered by DOS; Some motherboards not only have CPUs attached to them, but also onboard memory. 128/256 motherboards do have them, and they are indeed ALL-IN-ONE. )

　　PC104 motherboards (usually equipped with onboard CPUs, onboard memory modules, and onboard electronic disks) are very common, with two specifications: X86 and ARM. Many manufacturers produce PC104 motherboards based on X86, mostly for low-end DOS systems, but there are exceptions. Some manufacturers can upgrade to PM1GHz or higher, but of course, the price is also very expensive. PC104 embedded motherboards, like other motherboards, are embedded into devices for control purposes, so they can be used in many industries. For example, medical equipment such as monitors and blood analyzers used in hospitals, as well as locomotive control (a large company in Zhuzhou is an example). So it's not just for the military industry (which few manufacturers in China can do).

　　MINI-ITX motherboard, created by VIA, has a specification of 17CM * 17CM, high integration, low cost, and is commonly used in commercial terminals such as financial POS, KIOSK, etc. The more popular ones are MINI motherboards based on INTEL ATOM processors.

　　PICO-ITX motherboard, in 2007, VIA released the world's smallest business board motherboard EPIA?  Pico-ITX， The size is only 10 cm x 7.2 cm. In order to apply the x86 architecture to embedded systems that were previously unable to be implemented due to space constraints, the VIA EPIA? Pico ITX provides an innovative platform option for other standard embedded motherboards or x86 system modules. The motherboard size is small, retaining only the most basic PC functions, with limited expandability, making it a portable or highly mobile device!

　　NANO-ITX is a highly integrated native x86 embedded platform with a size of only 12 cm x 12 cm, which is 50% smaller than the Mini ITX board type.

　　ETX, short for Embedded Technology eXtended, is a new standard for industrial SOM (modular systems) applications with dimensions of 114mm x 95mm. The ETX module consists of two parts: one is the ETX CPU module, and the other is the ETX custom carrier board.

　　The above provides a detailed introduction to three aspects of the X86 embedded motherboard product, including an introduction to embedded motherboards, classification of embedded motherboards, and relevant information about X86 motherboards. Through the understanding of the above knowledge, we know that X86 embedded motherboard is a product with a wide range of applications in industrial production. It has stable parameters, simple design, flexible processing methods, and high cost-effectiveness. Therefore, it can be said to be a high-quality product that combines reputation and quality.