SBC Product Selector
Our Data Acquisition products
can be used with single board computers (SBC)
For additional small system accesories, click on
Cables & Etc
or
GPS
• SBC Overview
Besides standard desktop and laptop computers, SR A/D systems can also be used
with small Single Board Computers (SBC). SBCs are often a good match for
a host computer inside field boxes that must withstand harsh physical
environments, or to provide internet and wireless connections.
Symmetric Research offers compiled and tested software support for the
BeagleBone Black (BBB) and Raspberry Pi (RPi) SBC
computers. Documentation is included with the software distributions reviewing
the steps required to get these SBC computers configured and running with our
A/D products.
Although software support is provided, SR does not sell SBC boards. You must
purchase any SBCs required from other vendors. SR also does not offer
finished field boxes. However a few photos are available below showing
some typical design ideas.
• Choosing an SBC
While many types of SBC computers are available, SR only supports the BBB Rev C and RPi 5 systems as they are among the most popular SBCs available and have proven reliable in extended lab and field tests. SR does not provide compiled software or design advice for SBC systems beyond the BBB and RPi.
| SBC Comments | ||
| BeagleBone Black (BBB) |
The BBB measures roughly 2" x 3.5", with a typical web price of $70. Rev
C comes with a full Debian Linux preinstalled, very nice ! The BBB also
has separate USB and Ethernet buses making it free from contention errors.
Earlier BBB versions prior to Rev C came with an unusual Angstrom Linux
OS which is not recommended.
• BBB Rev C is Recommended, older revs are NOT |
|
| Raspberry Pi (RPi) |
The RPi measures roughly 3" x 4", with a typical web price of $35-$120
depending on memory size. The Raspberry Pi OS is a variant of Debian
Linux. RPi systems before rev 4 have a shared USB and Ethernet
controller bus prone to collisions and will cause trouble with the
USBxCH. Earlier Rpi are also known to send spurious RS322 start bits.
• RPi Rev 5 is Recommended, revs earlier than 4 are NOT |
|
| PC104 and Mini-ITX |
The PC104 and Mini-ITX are well known earlier computers with small dimensions
and a wide variety of capabilities. While our standard Linux
distribution will likely run on many of these systems, modfications may be
required. Given the popularity of the BBB and RPi for field box systems,
we have phased out specific support for PC104 and Mini-ITX.
• The BBB and RPi are better ( and less expendive ! ) choices |
|
• Typical field box examples
There is no end to the variety of field box designs, costs, and ruggedness that
can be implemented.
Two of the primary approaches we have seen for placing equipment inside field
boxes are velcroing items together, or using mechanical adapter plates to keep
all items in position. All have their applications. For the
exterior boxes Seahorse, Pelican, Apache are popular and readily available
choices. Even solid aluminum and steel boxes with serious humidty and
moisture barriers are available from manufacturers like Bud.
Click on the following photos for a few USBxCH/BBB field box idea tours >
|
|
|
This page URL = https://www.symres.com/webpages/products/selsbc.htm