Reduce Risk and Time by Using System-on-Modules

In industrial applications, developers often struggle to find appropriate embedded systems that meet their requirements, such as robustness, reliability, security, versatility, as well as power consumption and throughput. With M100PFS system-on-modules, ARIES Embedded provides the ideal platform for challenging industrial projects. Users are now able to evaluate Microchip's PolarFire® SoC-FPGA architecture or integrate it as a function block in new projects. Using a modular approach reduces risks and shortens development time. The Quadcore RISC-V® PolarFire® SoC FPGA architecture is especially suitable for applications with low power dissipation.

Learn about the possibilities for creating robust and reliable embedded systems by using modular solutions based on Microchip’s PolarFire® SoC-FPGA architecture.

Modern embedded systems often require maximum versatility together with modern technology to fit into project requirements. In addition, a fast startup time and low power dissipation are common requirements in such projects. With the PolarFire® SoC-FPGA architecture, the M100PFS System-on-Module offers a ready-to-use building block that can be used in most embedded applications. The SoM integrates DDR4 RAM for the HMS and the FPGA, eMMC NAND flash, NOR flash and a dedicated clock chip. The provided IP reference project and U-Boot and Yocto support enable developers to quickly start  work on new architecture and take the first steps towards their product.

Powerful and efficient M100PFS System-on-Module with PolarFire® SoC

The M100PFS SoM is based on Microchip's PolarFire® SoC, the System-on-Chip (SoC) FPGA family from Microchip that combines a high-performance 64-bit RISC-V multicore processor subsystem with low-power FPGA technology. The embedded board impresses with its low power consumption, very good efficiency, and high system security in a variety of different use cases. It is ideal for applications such as safety-related systems and artificial intelligence, where a high-performance, secure, and energy-efficient computer architecture is to be combined with an FPGA.

The M100PFS platform enables customers to easily take advantage of the PolarFire® SoC’s hardened real-time, Linux capable RISC-V processor subsystem integrated with the PolarFire FPGA family, the industry’s lowest-power mid-range FPGAs. Applications can benefit from the low power consumption, thermal efficiency, and defense-grade security for a range of embedded systems that require deterministic operation. Its wide range includes applications such as smart embedded vision, industrial automation with robotics, telecommunications, drones and Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT).

Low Power, Reliable, Secure

The 74 by 42 mm small M100PFS SoM runs with low device static power, low inrush current and low-power transceivers. The PolarFire® FPGA technology stands out for its reliability with Single-Event Upset (SEU) immunity, built-in SECDED, and LSRAM memory interleaving built into the FPGA fabric. In addition, SECDED runs on all processor memory resources and the system controller suspend mode serves safety-critical designs. Several features support security aspects: for example, Cryptography Research Incorporated (CRI)-patented Differential Power Analysis (DPA) bit stream protection, integrated dual Physically Unclonable Function (PUF), and 56 KB of secure, non-volatile memory (sNVM).

Powerful and Scalable

The PolarFire® SoC onboard the M100PFS SoM from ARIES Embedded combines a Quad 64-bit RISC-V 64GC core and a 64-bit RISC-V 64 IMAC monitor core. The SoM uses the FCVG484 package that scales from the PolarFire SoC’s 23k logic element (LE) device up to the 250k LE device. A SoM offering the largest 460k LE PolarFire SoC device will be offered in later versions. The RISC-V CPU micro-architecture implementation is a simple 5-stage, single issue, in-order pipeline that is immune to the Meltdown and Spectre exploits found in common out-of-order machines.

All five CPU cores are coherent, with the memory subsystem allowing a versatile mix of deterministic real-time systems and Linux in a single multi-core CPU cluster. Processor I/Os include: 2x Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 OTG, 2x CAN 2.0 A and B, Execute in place Quad SPI flash controller, 5x multi-mode UARTs, 2x SPI, 2 I2C, RTC, GPIO, and 5x watchdog timers. Memory comprises 1/2/4 GByte LPDDR4 RAM dedicated to the HMS, 1/2/4 GByte LPDDR4 RAM dedicated to the FPGA, 32 Mbit NOR Flash, and 4 - 64 GByte eMMC memory. The default configuration contains Gigabit Ethernet, UART, CAN, SPI, I²C, and USB.

Reliable Operation Thanks to Hart Software Services

To make the SoM suitable for most embedded applications, ARIES Embedded has included additional functionality to the compact system. The module features its IP reference design, a customized zero-stage bootloader, U-Boot as a generic bootloader, Linux with Yocto support, and Hart Software Services (HSS). The Polarfire® RISC-V quad-core SoC provides an additional core for control and monitoring tasks. A range of special services run on this E51 monitor core with Hart Software Services, offering many options for configuration and ensuring reliability in operation. For example, when using asymmetric multiprocessing the RISC-V cores can be used with different operating systems or bare-metal. This enables the implementation of advanced real-time or security requirements in an embedded system.

Evaluation Board for Easy Project Entry

In addition to the SoM, ARIES Embedded offers the M100PFSEVP evaluation board for an easy and fast project start into FPGA SoC design. The baseboard can be flexibly extended via Pmod connectors or an HSMC port and can thus be used for the fast realization of prototyping.

The Quadcore RISC-V® CPU with FPGA architecture even boosts your demanding industrial applications. Please check out our presentations in the webinars by Arrow Electronics: Building Applications on multi-core RISC-V® based on Microchip PolarFire® SoC.

Part I Libero SoC and SoftConsole FPGA/Software Development Flow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKcUIA75A-0

Part II Yocto and Embedded Linux: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uchmtN7Cofk

Please visit https://www.aries-embedded.com/system-on-module/fpga/microchip to learn more about our PolarFire SoMs.

Choose your ideal development platform and start your FPGA project now: https://www.aries-embedded.com/evaluation-kit/fpga/microchip

The team at ARIES Embedded ((https://www.aries-embedded.com/contact)) is looking forward to supporting your embedded project.