The Small Form Factor Special Interest Group (SFF-SIG, pronounced ess-eff-eff-sig) is an international non-profit standards body focused on modular computer hardware technologies used in embedded and small form factor computers and controllers. Members are mainly computer board and component manufacturers. The group was founded in 2007 and had a web site until early 2020.[1]
 | |
| Founded | September 2007 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional Organization |
| Focus | Standards for small, low power computers, building blocks, and accessories |
| Method | Industry Standards, Conferences, Publications |
Members | 16 |
Key people | Colin McCracken (president) |
History
editSFF-SIG generally targets low power components and processors from VIA Technologies and Intel including the Nano and Atom processors, although products for RISC processors were discussed in some working groups. VIA, WinSystems, and Octagon Systems were founding members of SFF-SIG. It was created in 2007.[2] A logo and web site debuted in April 2008.[3]
SFF-SIG creates, promotes, and maintains embedded computer standards for form factors and computer buses. Examples include the governing documents and trademarks for CoreExpress, Pico-ITX, Express104, and SUMIT. 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 defined new single-board computer (SBC) and computer-on-module (COM) form factors. SFF-SIG standardizes expansion connectors to create the building blocks required by system manufacturers. Each specification is a free open standard by ITU-T definition.
Specifications often use pre-existing interface buses and interconnects such as PCI Express, USB 2.0,[4] ExpressCard,[5] Low Pin Count (LPC) Bus,[6] SPI / uWire,[7] and I2C / SMBus,[8] with adaptations for modular and extensible usage. Some standards preserve the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus and legacy peripherals.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "SFF-SIG official website". Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ Chris A. Ciufo (January 13, 2008). "Small Form Factors: A new SIG in town" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ Don Dingee (April 15, 2008). "New specs, new members, new logo". Embedded Computing Design. Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
- ^ "USB Implementers Forum".
- ^ "ExpressCard Specification". Archived from the original on 2008-08-28.
- ^ "Low Pin Count (LPC) Specification".
- ^ "SPI Bus" (PDF).
- ^ "I2C Specification" (PDF).
External links
edit- Express104 spec boosts stackable module design
- "SUMIT aims to unify SBC expansion". Archived from the original on 2013-01-27.
- The Case for Smaller Form Factors in Industrial Systems
- "Pico-ITX goes stackable". Archived from the original on 2012-09-08.
- Pico-sized platform ushers in new era for I/O
- What is SUMIT?
- What is Express104
- SFF-SIG Adopts CoreExpress Specification