ICOP System on Module (SoM)

ICOP System on Module (SoM)

What is SoM

A System on Module (SoM) is a format for highly compact computing boards that integrate the core components of a computer system—processor, memory, and peripheral interfaces—onto a single PCB, making them ideal for embedded and industrial applications.

An SoM operates in tandem with a carrier board: the SoM acts as the “brains” of the system, while the carrier board implements the device-level interfaces and connectors, including USB, Ethernet, HDMI, serial ports, and application-specific circuitry.

Evolution of SoM Platforms

The SoM concept first arose with the development of blade systems and specialized modules for the VMEbus industry in the mid-1980s. The format experienced a renaissance in 2005 with the introduction of the global COM Express standard from PICMG, which set a new direction for the SoM industry.

SoMs were originally created for specialized tasks in the defense industry, telecommunications, and industrial automation. Key advantages included rapid integration, high reliability, and the ability to replicate typical solutions for monitoring, equipment control, and real-time data processing. As technology advanced, SoMs ceased to be only industrial; today, they encompass IoT, artificial intelligence, and consumer electronics, making it easy to add new functions and update devices without replacing the entire base hardware. The diversity of form factors and supported interfaces continues to grow, allowing seamless integration even with the latest protocols and peripherals.

Unique Aspects of SoM Boards

Thus, the SoM form factor has become a key driver for accelerating development and integration of computing systems across many areas of modern electronics:

• industrial automation (industrial PCs, controllers);
• medical equipment and lab devices;
• transport (automation, video surveillance, navigation);
• Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home;
• robotics, streaming video processing, digital signage, point-of-sale systems;
• telecommunications and network solutions.

Ready-to-use modules dramatically reduce time-to-market by removing the need for complex CPU/DDR/high-speed interface circuit design and minimizing the number of hardware prototyping iterations. SoM modularity enables easy performance, memory, and peripheral upgrades by swapping out the module without a full redesign of the carrier board, simplifying the creation of product families. Long-term support, documentation, and updates from SoM vendors lower end-of-life (EOL) risks and greatly improve lifecycle predictability—vital for industrial and medical applications.

Choosing an SoM Board

ICOP's portfolio covers Embedded SBCs, Panel PCs, fanless Box PCs, EtherCAT controllers, and SoMs, which facilitate building integrated solutions for automation, transportation, power, and smart IoT. ICOP’s global network supports projects with extended deployment cycles and operation in harsh environments, including extended temperature ranges and requirements for vibration resistance.

When choosing an SoM, it is practical to classify the product as follows:

• Proprietary SoMs—ICOP’s specialized modules with unique physical and electrical specifications for seamless integration in enterprise automation solutions and legacy upgrades.
• Standard SoMs—Boards in popular global formats: Qseven, SMARC, COM Express, ETX, ensuring compatibility with various carrier boards and large platforms.

• Vortex86—energy-efficient x86 processors from DM&P, mainly for long-lifecycle industrial applications.
• ARM (NXP, Rockchip)—solutions for new projects requiring high performance and IoT support (NX8MM, RK3568 series, etc).

• Automation and industrial—boards with extended temperature ranges and rich I/O, designed for industrial equipment.
• IoT and smart devices—modules with compact form factors, wireless connectivity, and abundant peripheral interfaces.
• Video and graphics processing—boards supporting MIPI-DSI/CSI, HDMI, LVDS, GPU, hardware decoders for digital signage, video surveillance, and automation.

Classification Examples

This classification allows for quick selection of the appropriate ICOP board depending on form factor, computing and peripheral capacity, or project targets.

Why ICOP Leads in Industrial SoM for Automation

ICOP’s strengths in SoM (System on Module) boards for industrial applications, based on requirements for long-term availability, technical support, and supply reproducibility, are:

1. Long-Term Availability (Longevity)

Guaranteed availability: ICOP provides a Product Life-Cycle Guarantee for its embedded boards and SoMs—often 10 to 15 years—critical for industrial and infrastructure projects where short product lifecycles (EOL—End of Life) can force costly and high-risk redesigns.

EOL risk mitigation: Long-term product availability allows customers to focus on the lifecycle of their end equipment rather than repeatedly reselecting and requalifying components due to obsolescence.

2. Technical Support and Compatibility

Legacy system support: Many ICOP boards, especially those based on in-house Vortex86 processors, offer built-in ISA bus support and compatibility with legacy operating systems (such as MS-DOS, Windows CE, Windows XP Embedded, and Linux), making them an ideal choice for brownfield upgrades where full infrastructure replacement is impractical.

Real-time drivers: ICOP supplies off-the-shelf drivers for real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as QNX, VxWorks, and Linux RT, which significantly streamlines system integration for engineers.

Customization: The company offers complimentary I/O panel customization even for small project batches, enabling precise alignment with customer requirements and simplifying integration.

3. Supply Reproducibility and Robustness

Industrial-grade reliability: ICOP products are engineered for industrial environments. They commonly feature low power consumption (ideal for fanless systems), wide operating temperature ranges (−40°C to +85°C, optional), and resistance to shock and vibration—ensuring stable, repeatable operation in harsh conditions.

In-house processors: Leveraging in-house DMP Vortex86 processors gives ICOP greater control over the manufacturing lifecycle and EOL process, unlike solutions entirely dependent on third-party, fast-moving platforms.

These advantages directly address core industrial needs: preventing redesigns due to EOL via long-term availability, simplifying integration and maintenance through strong technical support and backward compatibility, and ensuring reliable, predictable supply and operation under industrial conditions.