Single Board Computers (SBCs) have evolved vastly over the past decade, emerging as key drivers of innovation across IoT and embedded systems. Once limited to niche applications, SBCs are now widely adopted in sectors ranging from smart manufacturing and robotics to medical diagnostics and industrial automation.

Their growing popularity of SBCs is driven by factors including their support of rapid prototyping and product development, and their suitability as a cost-effective alternative to custom embedded designs.

As industries worldwide continue to increase the demand for more compact, complex, and power-efficient computing solutions, SBCs are stepping up to meet these challenges, and their role is only set to grow in the coming years.

What Are SBCs and Why Are They Important in IoT & Embedded Technologies?

A Single Board Computer (SBC) is a complete and fully functional computer built on a single printed circuit board (PCB).

It acts as a self-contained unit, integrating processors, memory, storage, I/O interfaces, and wireless communication capabilities. Unlike traditional computers that require multi-board systems that separate components across more than one PCB, SBCs offer a compact, unified platform ideal for space- or power-constrained applications.

SBCs are designed for low power consumption and highly specialised operations, making them ideal for battery-powered or embedded systems. For example, electronics manufacturers like PCI produce SBCs that can be applied in:

• Internet of Things (IoT) applications, such as collecting data from environmental sensors or smart home controllers.
• Running diagnostics and monitoring in embedded medical systems, such as wearable devices for glucose control.
• Controlling machinery and data logging in industrial automation environments.

Trends Shaping the Future of Single-Board Computers (SBCs)

SBCs are no longer limited to basic computing tasks. They are becoming intelligent, secure, power-efficient platforms capable of supporting increasingly sophisticated functions. Below are the key trends that are driving this evolution:

1. Edge AI & ML Integration

One of the most transformative shifts in SBC development is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) at the edge.

Integrating SBCs with AI processing capabilities has been ongoing for at least a decade. However, as edge AI becomes more mainstream, SBCs are increasingly equipped with dedicated AI accelerators like Google's Coral TPU, NVIDIA Jetson modules, and Rockchip NPU variants.

These will allow embedded systems to harness the power of AI processing within a tiny footprint, without relying on external systems. This enables applications such as:

• Smart surveillance systems that can detect specific behaviours or perform facial recognition in real time.
• Predictive maintenance platforms that monitor vibration or thermal data to predict equipment failure.
• Autonomous systems like delivery robots or drones that require real-time decision-making capabilities.

The ability to process data locally not only reduces latency but also makes SBCs vital for mission-critical environments.

2. Increased Focus on Power Efficiency

With the greater need for deployment in remote or constricted environments, power consumption is a growing concern in IoT.

SBCs are now being designed with low-power System-on-Chip (SoC) architectures, dynamic voltage scaling, and advanced power management modes that will extend battery life without impacting performance.

Enhanced energy efficiency could make SBCs suitable for:

• Solar-powered environmental sensors that are deployed in remote areas for purposes including meteorological monitoring or tracking water quality in rivers and lakes.
• Battery-operated industrial gateways that collect and transmit field data and connect networks of devices to each other.
• Wearable health monitoring devices that require round-the-clock functionality using limited power sources.

Optimal power management will allow electronics manufacturers to reduce maintenance frequency, extend operational life, and deploy devices in more challenging locations.

3. Enhanced Security for Industrial IoT

Cyber threats are a constant concern in IoT and embedded systems, making security an essential component of SBCs. They are now being developed with built-in security features, including:

• Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) for hardware-based encryption and key storage, in addition to protecting against malware.
• Secure boot functionality to ensure that only verified firmware is executed, and to block unauthorised code from compromising the system.
• Hardware root of trust for strong authentication protocols and detection of any attempts to physically tamper with the device.

These capabilities are especially critical in sectors such as manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, and transportation, where data integrity and system reliability are paramount.

Moreover, these security protocols also help electronics manufacturers achieve compliance with various critical international security standards like IEC 62443 and ISO 27001.

4. Expansion of Industrial-Grade SBCs

More SBCs are now being deployed in harsh or mission-critical environments, making industrial-grade reliability a necessity.

This means designing PCBs for SBCs that can tolerate all kinds of conditions, including wide temperature ranges, shock, vibration, humidity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Industrial-grade SBCs typically feature:

• Rugged connectors and protective coatings for environmental resilience and protection against the elements.
• Extended temperature ratings, from -40°C to +85°C. This ensures the device is able to function optimally even in extreme temperatures.
• Conformal coating, which is a thin, protective polymeric film that adheres to components on a PCB and protects them against moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures.

These SBCs are ideal for sectors like oil & gas, transportation, mining, and even the space industry, where durability matters as much as processing power.

5. Modular and Custom SBC Platforms

There is now a growing need for design flexibility and faster time-to-market. To meet this demand, modular SBCs have gained popularity in embedded systems design.

Unlike traditional SBCs, which have fixed hardware and limited adaptability, modular SBCs are designed to allow key elements, including processing units, I/O modules, and wireless connectivity, to be swapped, upgraded, or customised for specific applications.

Additionally, some modular SBCs will separate the computing core from the baseboard, allowing the computing module to be replaced or upgraded without having to redesign the whole system.

By incorporating these features, modular SBCs enable faster prototyping and time to market, simplified hardware upgrading, and easier customisation for evolving needs in the IoT sphere.

6. Connectivity-Centric Designs

As IoT networks become more diverse and distributed, multi-radio SBCs are becoming the norm. SBCs are now being designed with integrated support for:

• Wi-Fi 6 for fast, bandwidth-intensive applications.
• Bluetooth 5.x for better connectivity and control.
• Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) for long-range, low-power communication suited for sectors such as smart cities, agriculture, and industrial monitoring.

With these built-in connectivity options, SBCs can serve as powerful IoT gateways, managing traffic between sensors and cloud platforms, and supporting edge applications where diverse communication protocols are essential.

Challenges in the Future of SBC Manufacturing

Despite the opportunities presented by this innovative technology, SBC development still comes with various obstacles:

• Balancing performance and cost remains a central issue, especially for applications in developing markets or those with tight budgets.
• Supply chain uncertainty is still a concern, particularly when an SBC requires sourcing rare or specialised components.
• Certification and compliance requirements can be complicated and resource-intensive.

Experienced EMS providers like PCI can help recognise and tackle these challenges early in the design process. We will evaluate component availability and lifecycle risks to ensure long-term supply stability, support regulatory compliance testing, and optimise your SBCs for high performance within budget.

Partner with PCI for Future-Proof SBC Design and Manufacturing

At PCI, we specialise in helping companies develop and scale SBC-based products for a wide range of applications. As an experienced electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, we offer:

• Rapid Prototyping & Product Development

  Our iterative development approach helps clients validate designs early and transition smoothly to full production.

• PCBA Manufacturing & Assembly

  From low-volume prototypes to large-scale production, our processes are optimised for mechanical robustness, EMI shielding, and power efficiency.

• Testing, Compliance & Certification

  We manage the entire pre-certification workflow, including EMC, thermal, and environmental testing, along with other international standards.

Preparing for the Next Generation of SBC Design

SBCs are now foundational components in smarter, faster, and more efficient IoT devices and embedded systems.

To keep pace with this evolution, it’s essential to collaborate with EMS providers like PCI, who are capable of bringing together the technical depth, manufacturing excellence, and industry insight needed to help you design, build, and scale the SBCs of the future.

Contact our friendly team today to learn more about how we can support your next SCB project.