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Choosing the right components for your business project
Single-Board Computer (SBC) or System-on-Module (SOM)?
The Raspberry Pi, as you know it, is a single-board computer (SBC)—a fully functional system that includes everything you need to get started without additional hardware. In contrast, a system-on-module (SOM), like the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, is a more compact solution that requires a baseboard to provide essential connectors. Baseboards typically integrate additional components such as power supplies, network controllers, I/O blocks, real-time clocks (RTC), and audio hardware.
The Raspberry Pi is currently the most popular SBC/SOM platform. However, it may not be the perfect fit for every application. Here are a few alternatives:
- AI-related tasks – The NVIDIA Jetson platform is a strong choice as it includes built-in AI acceleration, eliminating the need for an external AI accelerator module.
- Audio processing – The NXP i.MX platform provides more audio interfaces than the Raspberry Pi, making it ideal for handling multiple audio sources.
- Other specialized applications – There are many SBCs and SOMs available, each with unique strengths. While the Raspberry Pi is often the best general-purpose solution, some projects may benefit from alternative platforms.
Beyond hardware, the choice of an SBC or SOM significantly impacts overall project costs. While hardware costs may seem like the primary concern, they are often just a small fraction of the total budget—especially in smaller projects (<1000 units). Software development and integration play a much larger role in overall expenses.
The Raspberry Pi ecosystem offers extensive pre-packaged software that can be easily customized, reducing development effort. However, if your software is already built for a specific platform, such as i.MX, it might be more cost-effective to stick with that platform rather than porting it to the Raspberry Pi.
Audio Hardware: Standard, Semi-Custom, or Custom?
For most projects—especially those with low production volumes—our standard products are the best choice, at least in the early stages. The biggest advantages:
- Immediate availability – No waiting for custom development.
- No development costs – Faster time-to-market and lower upfront investment.
However, if no standard product fits your needs, a semi-custom solution may be the answer. For example, our Studio DAC/ADC is available as an OEM version without integrated audio connectors. You can either design your own I/O board or let us handle it for you. Since adding a few connectors to a PCB is relatively inexpensive, you can even create custom prototypes cost-effectively.
For large-scale or highly specialized applications, fully custom audio solutions can be designed to meet specific requirements.
Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
In many projects, a digital signal processor (DSP) is extremely useful. While the Raspberry Pi can handle a lot of audio processing directly, a DSP simplifies system design by offloading signal processing tasks. Benefits include:
- Easier software setup – Reduces processing load on the Raspberry Pi.
- Advanced signal routing – Allows for complex audio signal routing between multiple inputs and outputs.
- Handling multiple audio interfaces – A DSP is often the best solution when multiple audio inputs/outputs are required.
If your project involves real-time audio processing or advanced filtering, a DSP can be a game-changer.
Additional Hardware
Most projects require more than just audio. Additional components may include:
- Digital I/Os
- Sensors
- Displays & control panels
- Real-time clocks (RTC)
- Motor controllers
We have extensive experience integrating these components while ensuring audio quality remains uncompromised. Whether you need standard, semi-custom, or fully customized solutions, we can help you find the right balance between cost, performance, and development effort.
Want to learn more? Get in touch! The more details you share about your project, the better we can assist you
February 28, 2025
