What is the difference between ARM industrial computers and X86 industrial computers?

What is the difference between ARM architecture industrial computers and X86 architecture industrial computers?

With the rapid development of ARM technology, the rapid improvement of chip processing technology, the improvement of the ecosystem, and the demand trend of edge computing and intelligence, the application of ARM industrial computers is becoming more and more extensive, especially in the fields of industrial IoT, Internet of Things, smart cities, smart devices, industrial automation control systems and other industries.

Application fields:

ARM controllers are suitable for small applications, edge computing, automation control, Internet of Things gateways, smart cities, smart devices and other scenarios, such as ARMxy series industrial computers, and X86 is suitable for scenarios with relatively high data processing requirements.

Interfaces:

ARM controllers have a wealth of peripheral interfaces, and these interfaces are more than enough for data acquisition, control and audio and video processing in the industrial field. For example, the ARMxy series industrial computers have a wealth of RS485/CAN/DI/DO interfaces. X86 also has these interfaces, but the corresponding peripheral hardware costs are much higher.

Cost and size:

X86 chips are very expensive, relatively large in size, and require external heat dissipation devices. ARM chips are very cheap and compact, making them very suitable for small intelligent equipment terminals. For example, ARMxy embedded controllers are used in the energy storage industry, AGV equipment, and industrial Internet of Things.

Power consumption:

X86 industrial computers consume a lot of power, while ARM has a relatively large advantage in power consumption, so if the equipment is turned on 24 hours a day, it is recommended to choose ARM. For example, the ARMxy series of industrial controllers are used in the long-term industrial Internet of Things and edge computing controller fields.

Performance:

X86-based industrial computers are much stronger than ARM platforms in terms of performance and production process. The advantage of ARM is not in its powerful performance, but in its efficiency. ARM uses the RISC instruction set, which is at a disadvantage in completing comprehensive work, but in some applications where the tasks are relatively fixed, its advantages will be fully utilized, so it is suitable for specific use scenarios.

Scalability:

the X86 architecture connects to the expansion device in a bridge manner, while ARM uses a dedicated data interface to reduce peripheral circuits, so the use of ARM industrial computers is suitable for industrial controllers in specific industries, rather than general-purpose equipment. In this regard, the ARMxy series embedded controller adopts a modular design, which can flexibly select various I/O interfaces and is a model product among ARM controller products.

System compatibility:

the X86 architecture supports Windows, and many development tools are also based on Windows, so the compatibility based on the X86 architecture is also unparalleled. The ARM architecture almost all uses the Linux operating system, but currently Labiview, Node-Red, Python, QT, etc. provide strong support for the ARM architecture.

Development and application:

software development and porting of the X86 architecture system are more familiar to everyone, and there are mature software development tools and third-party applications. It greatly reduces the initial development cost and cycle, and ARM generally uses Linux OS due to its hardware, system and compatibility constraints, but there are also many development tools, such as Node-Red, QT, Python, C#, etc.

Therefore, with the development of edge computing and intelligence, ARM industrial computers are being used more and more widely, especially in the fields of industrial Internet, Internet of Things, smart cities, smart devices, industrial automation control systems, etc.

In particular, the ARMxy industrial computer of BLIIoT--Beilai Tech.Co.,Ltd. adopts a modular design with optional SoM, optional RAM and ROM, optional I/O interface, optional LAN port, and optional HDMI port, which solves the design concept of fixed hardware interface of traditional ARM industrial computers and has been recognized and recommended by many users.