DIMM-PC/MD Product Manual
Introduction
Kontron
®
Embedded Modules GmbH
4
Revision 1.0
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 Kontron
DIMM-PC-Concept
It is likely that anyone who deals with micro-controller-development, has already thought
of the application of PC-architecture and considered the PC as the engine for an
application. However, most design engineers will get back to the old 87C51 or a similarly
more or less efficient micro-controller. The reasons why the Embedded PC was not yet
able to push away the micro-controllers from the printed boards, are many.
Embedded PCs are mechanically larger than a solution with a micro-controller.
The hardware of an Embedded PC is much more expensive than the micro-controller
solution.
The power consumption of an Embedded PC is usually higher than the one of a micro-
controller circuit.
A lot of times PCs have to be used with ribbon cables which are a possible cause of error.
Micro-controllers are available with a large number of peripheral functions, the PC,
however only has a standard periphery.
On the other hand there are some serious disadvantages of micro-controller solutions.
The software-development is much more complicated and expensive than under a
standard operating system.
Connection to standard-interfaces such as LANs and modems requires complicated driver
software.
Graphical user interfaces can be realized only by large programming efforts.
The development tools are by far not as powerful as PC-programming systems.
Micro-controllers do by far not have as many different PC-SW development tools
available.
This is why the purchase price is usually considerably higher for micro-controller
development tools.
Ready-made software solutions for standard tasks are only available in a very limited
extent.
The specified reasons are only a few of the more common ones, which are important in
deciding whether to implement a micro-controller or to change to PC-architecture.
