SANTA CLARA, Calif.,
Dec. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
RISC-V Summit - In a new era of computing driven by the
convergence of 5G, machine learning and the internet of things
(IoT), embedded developers need the richness of Linux-based
operating systems. These must meet deterministic system
requirements in ever lower power, thermally constrained design
environments—all while addressing critical security and reliability
requirements. Traditional system-on-chip (SoC) field programmable
gate arrays (FPGAs) blending reconfigurable hardware with
Linux-capable processing on a single chip provide developers ideal
devices for customization, yet consume too much power, lack proven
levels of security and reliability, or use inflexible and expensive
processing architectures. In response, Microchip Technology Inc.
(Nasdaq: MCHP), via its Microsemi Corporation subsidiary, today
extended its Mi-V ecosystem by unveiling the architecture for a
new class of SoC FPGAs that combine the industry's lowest power
mid-range PolarFire™ FPGA family with a complete microprocessor
subsystem based on the open, royalty-free RISC-V instruction set
architecture (ISA).
Announced today at the RISC-V Summit in Santa Clara, California, Microchip's new
PolarFire SoC architecture brings real-time deterministic
asymmetric multiprocessing (AMP) capability to Linux platforms in a
multi-core coherent central processing unit (CPU) cluster. The
PolarFire SoC architecture, developed in collaboration with SiFive,
features a flexible 2 MB L2 memory subsystem that can be configured
as a cache, scratchpad or a direct access memory. This allows
designers to implement deterministic real-time embedded
applications simultaneously with a rich operating system for a
variety of thermal and space constrained applications in
collaborative, networked IoT systems.
"The PolarFire SoC architecture is a compelling combination of
low power, security and reliability in a configurable device that
brings real-time to Linux," said Bruce
Weyer, vice president of the Programmable Solutions business
unit at Microchip. "Coupled with our robust Mi-V RISC-V ecosystem
and Microchip's extensive portfolio of system solutions, the
PolarFire SoC architecture gives customers an excellent platform to
meet computing's next great challenges."
PolarFire SoC includes extensive debug capabilities including
instruction trace, 50 breakpoints, passive run-time configurable
Advanced eXtensible Interface (AXI) bus monitors and FPGA fabric
monitors, and Microchip's built-in two-channel logic analyzer
SmartDebug. The PolarFire SoC architecture includes reliability and
security features such as single error correction and double error
detection (SEC-DED) on all memories, physical memory protection, a
differential power analysis (DPA) safe crypto core, defense-grade
secure boot and 128Kb flash boot memory.
"As a fully customizable, programmable RISC-V platform, the
PolarFire SoC architecture gives designers the freedom to create
innovative Linux-based SoCs in novel and interesting ways tailored
for their distinct, domain-specific requirements," said SiFive CEO
Naveed Sherwami. "By leveraging
SiFive's market-leading U54-MC CPU core complex, PolarFire SoC will
enable designers to overcome the universal challenge of building
real-time systems with predictable behaviors."
Development Tools
Evaluate and begin PolarFire SoC
designs today using the antmicro Renode™ system modeling
platform, which is now integrated with Microchip's SoftConsole
integrated design environment (IDE) for embedded designs targeting
PolarFire SoCs. A PolarFire SoC development kit is also available
now, consisting of the PolarFire FPGA-enabled HiFive Unleashed
Expansion Board and SiFive's HiFive Unleashed Development Board
with its RISC-V microprocessor subsystem. For more information,
visit www.microsemi.com/polarfiresoc or contact
sales.support@microsemi.com.
Microchip's New Mi-V Embedded Experts Program
As part
of today's announcement, Microchip is launching a new Mi-V Embedded
Experts Program, a worldwide partner network to assist customers in
hardware/software designs for PolarFire SoC. The addition of this
program ensures support throughout the entire lifecycle of customer
products, and helps to jump-start designs and shorten time to
market. Members also get access to direct technical support and
early access to development platforms and silicon. Visit
www.microsemi.com/product-directory/fpga-soc/5210-mi-v-embedded-ecosystem
or contact Mi-V-EmbeddedPartner@microchip.com for more
information.
About Microchip
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading
provider of microcontroller, analog, FPGA, connectivity and power
management semiconductors. Its easy-to-use development tools and
comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal
designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time
to market. The company's solutions serve more than 130,000
customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace
and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in
Chandler, Arizona, Microchip
offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery
and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at
www.microchip.com.
Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo and
Microsemi are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology
Incorporated in the U.S.A. and
other countries. PolarFire is a trademark of Microchip Technology
Inc. in the U.S.A. and other
countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property
of their respective companies.
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SOURCE Microchip Technology Inc.