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Evaluation Boards - Expansion Boards, Daughter Cards

Evaluation boards, expansion boards and daughter cards are boards that are typically used to connect a host device and the target device. They are typically either hardwired or remoted, and can be interconnected to extend the network’s reach.

A daughter card is usually a smaller-sized board that is inserted into a larger through-hole board. It typically comes with an exposed electrical connection, and is usually used for adding additional functionality to a larger electronic device. For example, a daughter board may be used to add an audio jack, USB port, or any other input/output connection to a base electronic device.

Expansion boards, on the other hand, are stand-alone boards typically used to give a host device more specialized or extensive functionality. These boards are usually included as part of the base device, and are often used for adding additional processors, ports, or memory capabilities.

Evaluation boards, sometimes called breakout boards, enable prototyping designs, develop hardware or support, and can be used for debugging, as well as to allow the evaluation of different technologies (MCUs, sensors, displays, etc.). Generally, they are small boards that usually contain a set of functional modules that are normally found on a target hardware device.

Each of the three types of boards also have different working principles. A daughter card is often plugged directly into the main board and connected to expanding circuitry on the host device. Expansion boards, on the other hand, often come with power and data lines that connect to the board and carry the information from the host device. Evaluation boards, likewise, come with power supplies and connectors that enable the device to be connected to other boards and circuitry.

In terms of applications, these boards can be used in a wide variety of projects, ranging from robotics and embedded systems to automotive and communications networks. For example, expansion boards can be used to add wireless communication capabilities to a main device, evaluation boards can be used for debugging and testing of embedded systems, and daughter cards can be used to add extra ports or memory.

In summary, evaluation boards, expansion boards, and daughter cards are boards used primarily for connecting devices and expanding their capabilities. Each board is typically used for a specific purpose, and has its own working principles and applications.