SFF-SIG
Encyclopedia
In the computer hardware
world, the Small Form Factor Special Interest Group or SFF-SIG (read ess-eff-eff) is an international non-profit standards body focused on the advancement of modular technologies used in embedded and small form factor computers and controllers. It has a diverse membership mainly of computer board and component manufacturers.
SFF-SIG creates, promotes, and maintains embedded computer standards
for form factors and computer bus
es. Examples include the governing documents and trademarks for CoreExpress©, Pico-ITXTM, Express104TM, and SUMITTM. Members use the specifications to build specialized embedded computers used in both commercial and rugged environments where applications insist on reliable control
and data acquisition
, for example.
Primarily focused on hardware
, SFF-SIG defines new single-board computer
(SBC) and computer-on-module
(COM) form factors. SFF-SIG standardizes expansion connectors for the latest desktop and notebook chipset interfaces to create the building blocks required by system manufacturers to rapidly deploy their unique applications. Each specification is a free open standard
by ITU-T
definition.
SFF-SIG generally targets low power chipsets and processors from VIA
and Intel including the Nano and Atom processors, although solutions for RISC processors are discussed in some working groups. VIA Technologies, WinSystems, and Octagon Systems were founding members of SFF-SIG in 2007.
Nearly all of the specification work leverages proven high-speed and easy-interface buses and interconnects such as PCI Express
, USB 2.0, ExpressCard
, Low Pin Count LPC
Bus, SPI / uWire, and I2C / SMBus, with adaptations for modular and extensible usage. Testing has been completed to establish operation to 5 Gigahertz. Some standards preserve the ISA
Bus and legacy peripherals.
Computer hardware
Personal computer hardware are component devices which are typically installed into or peripheral to a computer case to create a personal computer upon which system software is installed including a firmware interface such as a BIOS and an operating system which supports application software that...
world, the Small Form Factor Special Interest Group or SFF-SIG (read ess-eff-eff) is an international non-profit standards body focused on the advancement of modular technologies used in embedded and small form factor computers and controllers. It has a diverse membership mainly of computer board and component manufacturers.
SFF-SIG creates, promotes, and maintains embedded computer standards
Standardization
Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards.The goals of standardization can be to help with independence of single suppliers , compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality....
for form factors and computer bus
Computer bus
In computer architecture, a bus is a subsystem that transfers data between components inside a computer, or between computers.Early computer buses were literally parallel electrical wires with multiple connections, but the term is now used for any physical arrangement that provides the same...
es. Examples include the governing documents and trademarks for CoreExpress©, Pico-ITXTM, Express104TM, and SUMITTM. Members use the specifications to build specialized embedded computers used in both commercial and rugged environments where applications insist on reliable control
Control
Control is the ability to purposefully direct, or suppress, change.Control can also refer to:-Literature:*Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, "Control" was the head of the Circus, a stand-in for MI-6, in the 1974 British spy novel by John le Carré...
and data acquisition
Data acquisition
Data acquisition is the process of sampling signals that measure real world physical conditions and converting the resulting samples into digital numeric values that can be manipulated by a computer. Data acquisition systems typically convert analog waveforms into digital values for processing...
, for example.
Primarily focused on hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
, SFF-SIG defines new single-board computer
Single-board computer
A single-board computer is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, with microprocessor, memory, input/output and other features required of a functional computer. Unlike a typical personal computer, an SBC may not include slots into which accessory cards may be plugged...
(SBC) and computer-on-module
Computer-on-module
A computer-on-module or System on Module is a type of single-board computer , a subtype of an embedded computer system. An extension of the concept of System on Chip , COM lies between a full-up computer and a microcontroller in nature.- Design :Today's COM modules are complete embedded computers...
(COM) form factors. SFF-SIG standardizes expansion connectors for the latest desktop and notebook chipset interfaces to create the building blocks required by system manufacturers to rapidly deploy their unique applications. Each specification is a free open standard
Open standard
An open standard is a standard that is publicly available and has various rights to use associated with it, and may also have various properties of how it was designed . There is no single definition and interpretations vary with usage....
by ITU-T
ITU-T
The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector is one of the three sectors of the International Telecommunication Union ; it coordinates standards for telecommunications....
definition.
SFF-SIG generally targets low power chipsets and processors from VIA
VIA Technologies
VIA Technologies is a Taiwanese manufacturer of integrated circuits, mainly motherboard chipsets, CPUs, and memory, and is part of the Formosa Plastics Group. It is the world's largest independent manufacturer of motherboard chipsets...
and Intel including the Nano and Atom processors, although solutions for RISC processors are discussed in some working groups. VIA Technologies, WinSystems, and Octagon Systems were founding members of SFF-SIG in 2007.
Nearly all of the specification work leverages proven high-speed and easy-interface buses and interconnects such as PCI Express
PCI Express
PCI Express , officially abbreviated as PCIe, is a computer expansion card standard designed to replace the older PCI, PCI-X, and AGP bus standards...
, USB 2.0, ExpressCard
ExpressCard
ExpressCard is an interface to allow peripheral devices to be connected to a computer, usually a laptop computer. Formerly called NEWCARD, the ExpressCard standard specifies the design of slots built into the computer and of cards which can be inserted into ExpressCard slots. The cards contain...
, Low Pin Count LPC
LPC
-Computers:* LPC , the programming language of LPMuds* Local Procedure Call, in Microsoft's Windows NT operating systems* Low Pin Count, a computer bus technology-Law:...
Bus, SPI / uWire, and I2C / SMBus, with adaptations for modular and extensible usage. Testing has been completed to establish operation to 5 Gigahertz. Some standards preserve the ISA
Industry Standard Architecture
Industry Standard Architecture is a computer bus standard for IBM PC compatible computers introduced with the IBM Personal Computer to support its Intel 8088 microprocessor's 8-bit external data bus and extended to 16 bits for the IBM Personal Computer/AT's Intel 80286 processor...
Bus and legacy peripherals.
External links
- SFF-SIG official website
- Express104 spec boosts stackable module design
- SUMIT aims to unify SBC expansion
- The Case for Smaller Form Factors in Industrial Systems
- Small Form Factors: A new SIG in town
- Pico-ITX goes stackable
- Pico-sized platform ushers in new era for I/O
- New specs, new members, new logo
- What is SUMIT?
- What is Express104
- SFF-SIG Adopts CoreExpress Specification