A small form factor is a computer form factor designed to minimize spatial volume, typically measured in liters. Generally, the phrase "small form factor" applies to desktop computers and not to computing systems that have traditionally been small, such as embedded or mobile systems. However, "small form factor" lacks a normative definition and is consequently misappropriated as a buzzword due to its growing popularity. Manufacturers often provide self-serving definitions. The size of SFF PCs vary widely, from 1 L to 30 L or more, but as of 2007[update] the volume of a shoe box is typical. Their shapes vary from cubes to mini-towers to shallow flat cases resembling home theater components (such as VCRs or AV receivers).
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COTS Products
Controller Adds Graphics to StackableUSB USB for years went underutilized in military embedded applications. That’s starting to change as uses from the technology presentRead More...
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PCI/104-Express, PC/104 and EPIC SBCs Roundup
SBC Provides Right-Sized PC/104 Solution PC/104 has always shined in defense applications that need a modest amount of computer power. Adlink Technology has released the AmproRead More...
The Customer Shall Judge
As a member of the trade press I can’t hide a little bit of glee when controversies erupt in the standards-based embedded computer industry. That stuff never fails to provide juicyRead More...
What's the Computer Inside?
When I participate in any kind of press meeting or briefing, I’m the guy who always asks a question–or many questions. I ask questions to satisfy my naturally curious nature, but alsoRead More...
SSD Products Climb Aboard New Form Factors
Free from the woes of moving parts, flash-based solid-state disks (F-SSDs) are able to operate under the harshest conditions, unlike magnetic hard disk drives. And because F-SSDsRead More...
Stand-Alone Rugged Boxes Come into their Own
Technology developments that reduce complexity and enhance usability are always a welcome addition to military applications. That need is being fueled by the increasing availability ofRead More...
COTS Products
3U VPX SBC Sports Freescale MPC 8640D Processor There have been only a handful of SBC vendors so far that have rolled out VPX products. The ones that jumped on board haveRead More...
Multicore Solutions Target a Variety of Emerging Military Needs
Embedded developers in many arenas are constantly facing competitive pressure to provide more application features and improve performance capabilities. As a result, it’s becomeRead More...
Multicore Boards Roundup
6U CompactPCI Boards Sport Quad Core Xeons The multicore trend has hit all levels of processor families, and the Xeon is no exception. Concurrent Technologies has released theRead More...
MicroTCA Gaining Ground in Military Applications
Deeply rooted in VME and CompactPCI platforms, military embedded design is undergoing a noticeable shift. Modern warfare initiatives are driving designers to find more bandwidth, whileRead More...
A Shortcut in the Road to VPX?
Developers of military systems have a close eye on VPX–formerly known as VITA 46. VPX is aimed specifically at defense applications and brings the performance of switched fabricRead More...
Small Form Factors Mean Big Design Choices
Military applications represent some of the most challenging and broad-ranging design demands today. New technologies can be difficult to adopt and develop quickly, and as a resultRead More...
Small Victories
Systems including small UAVs, robotics, mission-specific handheld systems, intelligent munitions and many others have one thing in common: a desire for small form factor embeddedRead More...
Minimizing UAV Payloads with Ultra-Compact Computing
New generations of defense imaging systems, using sophisticated sensor technologies, generate invaluable information for modern warfare. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and laser radarRead More...
Military I/O Solutions Look Beyond 1553
Tried and true I/O schemes, such as MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429, remain popular for pure control applications. But they’re bandwidth-limited by today’s standards. A slew of multipurposeRead More...
Direct Spray Cooling Widens Choices in Harsh Airborne Environments
There’s no doubt that demand is on the rise for ever more computing density. Military platforms such as radar and image processing, electronic warfare, signal processing, command andRead More...
Cots Products
20-Inch 2U Chassis for Trenton 32 Gbyte Boards The days when military system developers did everything themselves are long gone. They’d much rather find building blocks to pieceRead More...
Small Form Factor Realm Churns out Boards and Standards
Small embedded computers—in both standard and non-standard form factors—are in high demand for military applications that are extremely space- or weight-constrained or whereRead More...
SUMIT Interconnect Spec Revamps Small Form Factor Landscape
Designers of high-performance embedded systems need to incorporate growing numbers and types of I/O in smaller and smaller off-the-shelf and semi-custom boards, while keeping theirRead More...
COM Express Sports 2 GHz i7 Processor
Gone are the days of a long gap between when a mainstream processor emerged and when it made its way into the military embedded board realm. Exemplifying that trend, several vendorsRead More...
COTS Products
BGA Adapters Adapt 0.50 mm Devices to 1.00 mm Boards Keeping up with and mitigating the impact of component obsolescence is a constant challenge in the military industry. ICs oftenRead More...
Small UAVs Step up to Advanced Comms Capabilities
The brisk investment in UAV development and procurement continues across all branches of the DoD. And that situation isn't expected to change under the current Administration. InRead More...
The Inside Track
Raytheon Completes Design Review for CVN 78's Dual Band Radar Raytheon and the U.S. Navy recently completed a critical design review (CDR) for the Dual Band Radar (DBR), which will beRead More...
EPIC-sized SBC features Core 2 Duo and SUMIT
EPIC-Sized SBC features Core 2 Duo and SUMIT connector New performance levels in an EPIC-sized SBC have been achieved with the integration of the new Intel Core2 Duo (model P8400) 45Read More...
Atom-Based 3.5-inch SBC Provides Dual LVDS
Atom-Based 3.5-inch SBC Provides Dual LVDS The Atom processor has caught on like wildfire in military applications—especially where Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) is a priority.Read More...
COM Express Card Serves Up Higher Graphics Performance
COM Express has moved past the stage of tire-kicking and now has established itself as a here-to-stay form factor. The conga-CS45 from Congatec is a high-performance COM ExpressRead More...
