High Reliability SBCs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: OnboardG1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 09:32:56 am
content: Hi Folks,I'm on the hunt for a very reliable SBC for a future project. We're developing a general purpose DAQ system for some monitoring hardware that's going to be in the middle of nowhere. As a result we can't really have a device that occasionally frags its kernel storage like the Pi does. I've done some of my own research and found both VersaLogic's Owl and Advantech's designs. I think these might be a little overpowered for what we need, although the VersaLogic ticks the reliability box. Realistically we need the file system, SPI capability and the ability to run a PTP/NTP daemon. We've also considered an RTOS but since we're not power constrained or building in volume a little overkill is okay to make development and debug a little easier. I'm not very experienced with SBCs, so I suspect I've missed some obvious candidates. If anyone has good (or bad!) experiences with vendors who provide SBCs for long term operation I'm keen to hear them.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 09:55:32 am
content: One thing i would look for in a high reliability SBC is passive cooling with a heatsink under 55C even at continuous 100% CPU usage.Too many SBCs run the CPU at a temp that is not compatibly with long term reliability.That said, sometimes you can change the power profile and keep them running at a slow clock for less heat.

author: MasterBuilder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 10:07:37 am
content: Phoenix Contact Industrial PCs:https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/ie?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a/ieen/web/main/products/subcategory_pages/Industrial_PCs_P-07-01/87bebddc-a4be-455e-b5c2-d8424b991b17No doubt they are pricey.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 10:14:26 am
content: Reliability is only partly a component issue. Reliability is a system design issue.You can start by defining what you mean by "reliable" for your uses, if you haven't already done that.Often it is helpful for you to define whatisn'tneeded. That allows you to concentrate on essentials, and often suggests system-level techniques to increase your system's value.

author: OnboardG1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:13:00 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on July 27, 2020, 10:14:26 amYeah that's a fair point. We need it to run constantly for multiple-year timescales without requiring hardware-level intervention since that means a long trip out to the arse end of bugger all to make a repair or replacement.Nice shout on the "don't need" list. I'll have a think about it.QuoteYes that's also a fair point. Keeping the heat down is definitely a priority.

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 01:08:48 pm
content: Do you actuallyneeda SBC? For example as you've mentioned NTP it sounds like you'll have this connected by some means, if that's by a cellular modem you can get modules or terminals with high level scripting (Python, Java etc) to run applications. Or use a MCU with an IP stack?Quote from: tggzzz on July 27, 2020, 10:14:26 am^^This. I spent some time working at a systems integrator where they would download & stuff a Debian desktop distro on to a SBC, tweak it a bit and punt it out because to build a custom kernel "would be a lot of work and we're very busy". Needless to say "busy" involved time fixing things...

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 01:17:37 pm
content: Quote from: OnboardG1 on July 27, 2020, 11:13:00 amDon't forget reliability is probabilistic, not absolute.Do understand the difference between "high reliability" and "high availability". The telecom network is based on standard components configured as a highly available system.Do understand the graph of reliability vs time for a triple-mode redundant system.