EPIC (form factor) explained

Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing (EPIC) is a computer form factor, a standard for an industrial-quality single-board computer, in use from about 2004 through 2016.

History

The EPIC standard was developed by a combined effort from WinSystems, VersaLogic, Octagon Systems, Micro/sys, and Ampro. Single board computers using this standard were available as early as 2004.[1] The EPIC-SBC group had a web site until about 2016.[2]

EPIC modules are 6.5xx in size, between PC/104-Plus and Embedded Board eXpandable (EBX) standards.[3] [4] It supported both PC/104 and PC/104-Plus expansion, for which hundreds of I/O modules were available. I/O connections can be either pin headers or PC-style connectors. The standard provides specific I/O zones to implement functions such as Ethernet, serial ports, digital and analog I/O, video, wireless, and various application-specific interfaces. It also supported serial buses like PCI Express.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: WinSystems introduces embedded Linux SBC . Computer Weekly . September 20, 2004 . November 11, 2021 .
  2. Web site: EPIC—A bridge to the future—the new standard for mid-sized SBCs . The consortium website . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160329200547/http://www.epic-sbc.com/ . March 29, 2016 . November 11, 2021 .
  3. Book: Electrical Design News. 2005. Rogers Publishing Company. 17.
  4. http://www.engineering.com/AdvancedManufacturing/ArticleID/11284/Choose-the-Right-Single-Board-Computer-for-Your-Application.aspx "Choose the Right Single Board Computer for Your Application"
  5. Web site: Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing Specification Version 1.1 . July 16, 2004 . live . March 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201331/http://www.epic-sbc.com/images/pdfs/EPICspec.pdf . November 11, 2021 .