Editing RapidIO (section)

== Competing protocols ==
[[PCI Express]] is targeted at the host to peripheral market, as opposed to embedded systems.  Unlike RapidIO, PCIe is not optimized for peer-to-peer multi processor networks. PCIe is ideal for host to peripheral communication. PCIe does not scale as well in large multiprocessor peer-to-peer systems, as the basic PCIe assumption of a "root complex" creates fault tolerance and system management issues.

Another alternative interconnect technology is [[Ethernet]]. Ethernet is a robust approach to linking computers over large geographic areas, where network topology may change unexpectedly, the protocols used are in flux, and link latencies are large. To meet these challenges, systems based on Ethernet require significant amounts of processing power, software and memory throughout the network to implement protocols for flow control, data transfer, and packet routing. RapidIO is optimized for energy efficient, low latency, processor-to-processor communication in fault tolerant embedded systems that span geographic areas of less than one kilometer.

SpaceFibre is a competing technology for space applications.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://star-dundee.com/sites/default/files/SpaceFibre_0.pdf |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=SpaceFibre Overview |publisher=STAR-Dundee |access-date=21 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022060617/http://star-dundee.com/sites/default/files/SpaceFibre_0.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2014 }}</ref>

[[Time Triggered Ethernet]]  is a competing technology for more complex backplane (VPX) and backbone applications for space (launchers and human-rated integrated avionics).