EPIC: The New Mid-Size, Open-Standard for Embedded SBCs

Most often the easiest and quickest way to build a system for demanding applications is to start by using a single board computer. While there are many technical and business factors involved with selecting a computer platform, one that can't be ignored is standardization. Standards for single board computers (SBC) are typically specified as to size and I/O expansion. The standards are administered by an industry trade organization to maintain uniformity and interoperability between manufacturers. Using an industry standard SBC rather than a proprietary form-factor yields a better product that is available over a long period of time while at a competitive price from multiple vendors. Surveying the universe of single board computers shows that they come in many sizes - from as small as a postage stamp to as large as a pizza box. System designers are familiar with VME, PCI, ISA, Compact-PCI and STD Bus. These are all well-known architectures each differentiated by various technical features, capabilities and board size. Each is similar in that their I/O expansion is through a bus and backplane. But for deeply embedded computing applications, there is a need to add even more functionality in less space. Advances in semiconductor density,