The core board is the core hardware carrier of an embedded system. It integrates the main control chip (CPU/MCU/SoC), memory (RAM), storage (Flash/EMMC), and key minimum system units such as power management and clock. It interfaces with the baseboard through standardized interfaces (such as gold fingers, pin headers, and board-to-board connectors) to quickly expand peripheral functions, realizing a hardware development model of "modular core, customizable functions."

I. Core Components of the Core Board (Essential for the Minimum System)

1. Main Control Core: Core components, such as ARM CortexA/R/M series, FPGA/CPLD, MCU (STM32/ESP32), and industrial-grade SoC (such as Rockchip RK series and NXP i.MX series), determine computing performance, supported protocols, and application scenarios.

2. Storage Unit: Includes running memory (RAM, such as DDR3/DDR4/LPDDR5, ensuring smooth program operation) and solid-state storage (Flash/EMMC/NAND, storing system firmware, application programs, and data). 3. Power Management: Integrated power chip converts input voltage (e.g., 12V/5V) to stable voltages (e.g., 3.3V/1.8V/1.2V) required by the main controller and memory, ensuring stable power supply to the core unit.

4. Clock Circuit: Includes crystal oscillator and clock chip, providing a precise operating clock signal (e.g., 24MHz/100MHz) for the main controller, supporting peripheral communication (UART/SPI/I2C) and operation timing.

5. Standardized Interfaces: Connection interfaces between the core and the baseboard, with reserved signal pins for UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, USB, GPIO, etc., enabling signal transmission with baseboard peripherals.

II. Core Board Advantages

1. Simplified Development Process: The core units (main controller, memory, etc.) have been integrated and verified. Developers do not need to repeatedly design high-frequency, high-complexity minimum systems, focusing instead on baseboard peripheral development (e.g., sensors, displays, communication modules), shortening project cycles by 30%-60%. 2. Enhanced Stability and Reliability: The core board undergoes professional EMC testing, high and low temperature testing, and long-term aging verification by the manufacturer, mitigating risks such as electromagnetic interference and power instability inherent in self-developed core circuits. It is suitable for stability requirements in various scenarios, including industrial and consumer applications.

3. Flexible Customization and Reuse: The same core board can be paired with different baseboards to expand with differentiated peripherals (e.g., adding RS485/Ethernet for industrial scenarios, adding touchscreen/Bluetooth for consumer scenarios). When the core board is upgraded (e.g., main controller iteration), the baseboard can be reused, reducing hardware iteration costs.

4. Lower Development Barrier: The manufacturer provides drivers, operating system images (Linux/Android/FreeRTOS), development tools, and technical documentation, allowing beginners to quickly get started and reducing the difficulty of low-level hardware debugging.

III. Relationship between Core Board and Baseboard (Clear Division of Labor)

Core Board: Responsible for core computing, data processing, and system operation; it is the "brain and heart," focusing on performance and stability, with a standardized design for universal applicability.

Baseboard: Responsible for functional expansion, designing peripheral interfaces (such as cameras, buttons, sensors, communication antennas, and network ports) according to actual needs; it is the "limbs and interfaces," customized to adapt to specific scenarios.

Both connect through standardized interfaces. The core board provides basic capabilities, while the baseboard implements specific functions, combining to form a complete embedded hardware system.

IV. Mainstream Application Scenarios

1. Industrial Sector: Industrial control (PLC, gateway), industrial IoT (data acquisition terminals), smart manufacturing equipment, mostly using industrial-grade core boards (wide temperature range 40℃~85℃, high anti-interference);

2. Consumer Electronics: Smart speakers, tablets, smart home controllers, focusing on cost-effectiveness and low power consumption, using consumer-grade SoC core boards;

3. IoT Sector: Wireless sensor nodes, LoRa gateways, WiFi/Bluetooth terminals, mostly using low-power MCU/SoC core boards, adapted to miniaturized devices;

4. Scientific Research and Education: Embedded development teaching, project prototype verification, using general-purpose core boards with rich interfaces and complete documentation, facilitating learning and secondary development.

V. Key Dimensions for Core Board Selection

1. Main Controller Matching Scenarios: Industrial control: ARM Cortex-A/R or FPGA; low-power sensing: MCU (STM32/ESP32); multimedia devices: high-performance SoC (RK/MTK series);

2. Performance Parameters: Focus on main controller frequency, memory capacity, and storage size to match program operation (e.g., complex algorithms require high frequency + large memory);

3. Environmental Adaptability: Industrial scenarios: choose models with wide temperature range and high anti-interference capabilities; consumer scenarios: prioritize low power consumption and miniaturization;

4. Interface Compatibility: The core board interfaces must cover the required peripherals (e.g., industrial applications require RS485/Ethernet, IoT requires wireless communication pins);

5. Ecosystem Support: Prioritize models with complete supporting drivers, mature systems, and comprehensive manufacturer technical support to reduce debugging costs.