A single-board computer is a complete computer built on a single circuit board. The design is always centered around a microprocessor.

The first true single-board computer was probably the MYCRO 1, built around the Intel 8080 CPU.

Current Context of Single Board Computer

In the current context, a single board computer is of a specific form factor similar to other plug-in cards and is intended to be used in a backplane. Some architectures are dependant entirely on single board computers, such as Compact PCI, VME, etc. In the Intel PC world, the intelligence and interface/control circuitry is placed on a plug-in board that is then inserted into a passive (or active) backplane. The end result is similar to having a system built with a motherboard, except that the backplane determines the slot configuration. Backplanes are available with a mix of slots (ISA, PCI, etc) up to 20, which is the most that will fit in a 17" wide rackmount enclosure.