Mitigating Embedded Computing Design Risks with Computer-on-Modules (COMs)

Embedded computing design is inherently challenging, with risks ranging from hardware-software integration issues to compliance challenges and security vulnerabilities. These risks can lead to costly redesigns, delayed product launches, or even complete project failures. However, the adoption of Computer-on-Modules (COMs) provides a powerful way to mitigate many of these risks. COMs are modular, pre-validated computing platforms that combine processing cores, memory, and essential interfaces, offering a versatile foundation for embedded systems.

In addition to their role in design and deployment, COMs significantly impact product maintenance, providing cost-effective solutions for long-term support and adaptability. Below, we explore how COMs address key risks and streamline product maintenance.

Mitigating Hardware-Software Integration Issues

COMs integrate hardware components—processors, memory, and I/O interfaces—with a well-supported software stack, significantly simplifying hardware-software integration.

• Risk Reduction: COMs eliminate the need to design processor boards from scratch, reducing the likelihood of performance bottlenecks or compatibility issues.
• Mitigation in Action: Many COMs come with pre-configured Board Support Packages (BSPs) for popular operating systems like Linux or Windows IoT. This ensures optimized drivers and seamless communication between hardware and software.

COM Advantage: By using a pre-validated COM, developers can focus on application software rather than low-level hardware debugging, accelerating time-to-market.

Addressing Power Management Challenges

COMs are designed with power efficiency in mind, offering advanced features such as dynamic power scaling and sleep modes.

• Risk Reduction: Custom hardware designs may overlook power optimization, leading to energy inefficiency or overheating. COMs mitigate this with integrated power management schemes.
• Mitigation in Action: For instance, COMs based on ARM architectures often include built-in low-power modes and efficient thermal management systems.

COM Advantage: Developers can leverage these features without investing in complex power optimization designs, ensuring reliable performance in battery-powered or heat-sensitive applications.

Research of power management in embedded computing

Enhancing Security

Security is a critical concern for embedded systems, especially in IoT and industrial applications. Many COMs come with built-in hardware security modules (HSMs) and secure boot processes.

• Risk Reduction: Designing security from scratch is complex and prone to oversights. COMs provide ready-made security features that are pre-tested for vulnerabilities.
• Mitigation in Action: COMs often include features like Trusted Platform Modules (TPM), secure firmware updates, and hardware-based encryption.

COM Advantage: By using a COM, developers can implement robust security measures without needing deep expertise in cybersecurity, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.

How to secure your embedded system by Witekio video

Streamlining Compliance with Industry Standards

Industries such as automotive and healthcare require strict adherence to standards like ISO 26262 or IEC 62304. Designing compliant hardware and software from scratch can be resource intensive.

• Risk Reduction: COMs are often pre-certified for compliance with industry standards, significantly reducing the effort required to achieve regulatory approval.
• Mitigation in Action: Manufacturers of COMs typically provide detailed documentation and test results that support certification processes.

COM Advantage: Using COMs minimizes the risk of non-compliance and the associated costs of redesign or regulatory penalties.

Safety standards by runtime engineering

Facilitating Scalability and Futureproofing

Technology evolves rapidly, and embedded systems must be scalable and adaptable. COMs offer modularity that enables easy upgrades.

• Risk Reduction: Custom designs may struggle to adapt to new requirements. COMs allow developers to swap out the compute module for one with newer processors or additional features without redesigning the carrier board.
• Mitigation in Action: For example, a project using an x86-based COM can transition to a more powerful version as processing demands grow.

COM Advantage: The modularity of COMs ensures longevity and adaptability, protecting investments against obsolescence.

Improving Product Maintenance and Lifecycle Management

Embedded products often face long lifespans and evolving requirements, making maintenance a critical aspect of design. COMs simplify maintenance in several ways:

• Ease of Replacement: When a COM reaches end-of-life, it can be replaced with a newer or compatible module without redesigning the entire system. This ensures extended product viability without significant re-engineering costs.
• Simplified Upgrades: New features or performance enhancements can be implemented by upgrading the COM, enabling devices to keep pace with technological advancements.
• Reduced Downtime: Field repairs and upgrades are faster with modular COMs, as the entire compute module can be swapped out, minimizing downtime and service costs.
• Long-Term Availability: Leading COM vendors offer long-term support, ensuring availability of modules and associated software for 10+ years, which is crucial for industrial and medical devices.

COM Advantage: By leveraging modularity, COMs enable cost-effective maintenance, reduce service complexity, and extend the lifecycle of embedded products.

Overcoming Environmental Challenges

Embedded systems often operate in harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, or strong electromagnetic interference (EMI). COMs are designed with robust components to withstand these environments.

• Risk Reduction: Custom-built hardware may require extensive testing and redesign to meet environmental constraints. COMs are pre-tested for ruggedness.
• Mitigation in Action: Many COMs offer industrial-grade variants with extended temperature ranges and conformal coatings for added protection.

COM Advantage: Developers can select COMs tailored to specific environmental requirements, reducing the time and cost of custom ruggedization efforts.

Conclusion: COMs Streamline Risk Mitigation and Maintenance

Computer-on-Modules are transforming embedded system design by addressing critical risks, from hardware-software integration to security and scalability. Beyond the development phase, COMs significantly simplify product maintenance, enabling efficient upgrades, minimizing downtime, and extending product lifespans. This modular approach not only accelerates time-to-market but also ensures cost-effective and reliable system operation throughout its lifecycle.

For businesses striving to deliver robust, scalable, and long-lasting embedded products, COMs provide a future-proof foundation that mitigates risks and enhances maintainability, empowering innovation with confidence.