The simpler way to tackle IoT projects

As IoT devices continue to reshape industries, choosing the right hardware building blocks is critical for successful deployment. While semiconductor ICs are traditionally been a choice for IoT projects, System-on-Modules (SoMs) can be a compelling alternative. But what exactly are SoMs, and how do they compare to ICs in the IoT landscape?

What Are SoMs?

A System-on-Module (SoM) is a circuit that consolidates the critical components of a system—such as microcontrollers, processors, memory, and wireless connectivity—onto a single PCB/ package. Essentially, SoMs provide a pre-packaged solution that integrates many of the functions you’d normally implement using individual ICs. They offer a modular approach to system design, which makes them extremely appealing in a fast-paced field like IoT.

SoMs vs. ICs: A Comparison for IoT Projects

One of the biggest challenges in IoT product design is ensuring reliable wireless communication. This typically involves tackling antenna design, signal integrity, and EMI/EMC compliance. In IoT applications, the choice between SoMs and ICs can significantly give you an upper hand over these challenges and affect project timelines, costs, and performance.

Here’s a closer look at the key differences:

- Time to Market: SoMs can drastically shorten the time needed for product development. Since the most complex hardware is pre-integrated and pre-tested, developers can focus on higher-level design and software. In contrast, with ICs, you need to handle component selection, integration, and testing yourself, which can introduce delays.

- Design Complexity: SoMs simplify the design process. By eliminating the need for custom circuits to handle things like memory management and wireless communication, PCB designers can focus on optimizing the layout and other product-specific requirements. ICs, on the other hand, require more detailed design work, as each component needs to be carefully integrated into the overall system.

- Antenna Design: Custom antenna design for ICs is complex, requiring deep RF expertise. SoMs often come with pre-certified, integrated antennas, eliminating the need for custom design and reducing time spent on regulatory approvals. This results in faster development and ensures your product meets compliance standards out of the box.

- EMI/EMC Compatibility: SoMs are pre-tested and often pre-certified for EMI/EMC standards, helping to avoid the headaches associated with electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing. This streamlines the certification process and ensures that your product meets the necessary regulatory requirements, saving valuable time and resources.

- Reliability: SoMs typically undergo extensive validation by their manufacturers, ensuring reliable performance out of the box. This is particularly important in IoT, where reliability is critical in devices designed for continuous operation. IC-based designs can take longer to reach the same level of reliability due to the need for more rigorous prototyping and testing phases.

Why SoMs Are Ideal for Early-Stage IoT Product Engineering

SoMs offer significant advantages during the initial stages of IoT product development. The pre-packaged nature of SoMs reduces the need for extensive component sourcing and testing, allowing for quicker design cycles and faster prototyping. This accelerates your time to market and gives you a competitive edge.

Additionally, SoMs provide greater scalability. As your product evolves, you can easily upgrade the module without the need for a complete redesign. This flexibility makes SoMs particularly useful for businesses planning to release multiple product iterations or variants.

For PCB designers, SoMs can reduce design complexity, SoMs allow designers to focus on optimizing layouts, minimizing risks related to signal integrity, and enhancing overall product reliability. With less time spent on debugging and integrating components, you can quickly iterate on designs and respond to changing product requirements.

Popular Wireless SoMs for IoT Projects Popular Wireless SoMs for IoT Projects

Some of the leading wireless SoMs that have gained popularity in IoT projects include:

- Espressif ESP32: A cost-effective and widely adopted SoM that provides robust Wi-Fi and Bluetooth integration, making it perfect for a broad range of IoT projects.

- Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840: Known for its Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities, this SoM is highly suited for IoT applications requiring low-power consumption.

- NXP i.MX 8M Mini: Offering powerful processing capabilities with support for multiple peripheral options, this SoM is ideal for multimedia-rich industrial control devices.

- u-blox NINA-W15: Designed for industrial IoT applications, this SoM features dual-mode Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity with excellent reliability.

As the IoT landscape evolves, the choice of hardware can make or break your project. While ICs have their place, SoMs offer a more streamlined and reliable approach to product development, especially when speed to market and design simplicity are priorities. By embracing SoMs, PCB designers can enhance efficiency, reliability, and innovation in IoT design.

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Looking to leverage the power of SoMs in your next IoT product? Let’s connect! With over five years of experience in PCB layout design and engineering consultancy, I can help you transform your ideas into scalable, reliable, and market-ready products. Reach out to me here on LinkedIn for PCB design and product engineering inquiries.