Computer-on-Module

A computer-on-module (COM) is a type of single-board computer(SBC), a subtype of an embedded computer system. It is also called System on ModuleSystem-on-Module as an extension of the concept of System on Chip (SoC) and lying between a full-up computer and a microcontroller in nature.

Today's COM/SOM modules are complete computers built on a single circuit board. The design is centered on a single microprocessor with RAM, input/output controllers and all other features needed to be a functional computer on the one board. However, unlike a single-board computer, the COM module will usually lack the standard connectors for any input/output peripherals to be attached directly to the board. Instead, the wiring for these peripherals are bussed out to connectors on the board.

The module will usually need to be mounted on a carrier board (or "baseboard") which breaks the bus out to standard peripheral connectors. Some COMs also include peripheral connectors and/or can be used without a carrier.

A COM/SOM solution offers a dense package computer system for use in small or specialized applications requiring low power consumption or small physical size as is needed in embedded systems.

Some devices also incorporate Field Programmable Gate Arrays.

The terms "Computer-on-Module" and "COM" were coined by Venture Development Corporation (Natick, MA, USA) to describe this class of embedded computer boards. The term became more notable upon industry standardization of the COM Express format.

A number of manufacturers offer products which are defined as system-on-module or computer-on-module. Among those are Advanced Knowledge Associates (www.a-k-a.net) in Santa Clara, CA; BCM Advanced Research (www.bcmcom.com) in Irvine, CA; Embedded Systems (www.embedded-systems.net); MEN Micro (www.menmicro.com) in Ambler, PA; DAVE Embedded Systems (www.dave.eu) in Italy.

Computer-on-Module Provider

 * SOM - by TECHOR.COM of China, series of 40x40x4mm Size, Weight about 10g, the smallest and lightest System-on-Module in the World!
 * SOM2416 - by TECHOR.COM of China, Samsung 400MHz ARM926EJ-S based cost effective Application Processor
 * SOM6410 - by TECHOR.COM of China,Samsung 667Hz ARM1176JFZ-S based cost effective Application Processor
 * SOM3530 - by TECHOR.COM of China, TI 720MHz CORETEX-A8 + 600MHz TMS320DM64x+ dual core SOC
 * CSB7xx - by Cogent Computer Systems, Inc. of USA
 * CM-XXX - by CompuLab of Italia
 * Colibri Computer Modules - by Toradex of Switzerland
 * OMAPMOD by Magniel Inc., TI OMAP3503 / OMAP3530 CORTEX A8, 67mm x 44mm, stand-alone system in a 144-pin SO-DIMM format.