Linus Torvalds forecast
Linus Torvalds believes that despite all the successes of the RISC-V architecture, it still has many problems ahead. The main one is difficulties in interaction between software and hardware developers.
Hardware developers are slow to provide detailed documentation about the nuances of the technology that coders can use. According to Torvalds, there is a gap between Verilog and the kernel, not to mention higher levels of the stack. Software developers will have problems: the software may not work as it should. Excessive consumption of computing resources, problems with interaction between software, unexpected software crashes – this is what can be expected in the early days of the “RISC-V era.”
But all this can be solved. At one time, ARM and x86 overcame the same problems, and now these technologies are popular. True, it took a lot of time: 40 years for ARM, and 47 for x86. Compared to them, RISC-V is a complete newcomer – the technology has been developing since 2010. Its advantage is that it is completely open, so many companies are interested in it. Especially Chinese ones, because they are subject to trade sanctions from the United States. But RISC-V does not have such problems, especially since a separate version is being created in China – RISC-X.
By the way, RISC-V is also being developed in Russia. Mobile chips for domestic tablets are being developed on the basis of this architecture.
Through hardship to the stars
According to Linus Torvalds, it will take a long time before RISC-V technology becomes widespread. Software and hardware developers will not be able to reach a complete understanding in either the short or medium term.
Those working in the RISC-V industry today may not be aware of the challenges that ARM and x86 architectures faced in their day. Companies will have to reinvent the wheel again, and it will take multiple generations of RISC-V processors to solve all the software and hardware problems.
“They will learn by making mistakes – the same ones they made before.”— said Torvalds.
In his opinion, open architecture will not help to achieve agreement between coders and electronics specialists. But sooner or later this problem will be solved.
It's not all that bad
Despite Torvalds' concerns, RISC-V is already being used by modern electronics manufacturers.
Founded Quintauris GmbH
At the very end of last year, it became known that several large companies, including Robert Bosch GmbH, Infineon Technologies AG, Nordic Semiconductor ASA, NXP® Semiconductors, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., founded a new organization called Quintauris GmbHIt will develop and implement new technologies based on RISC-V.
The Quintauris GmbH team will ensure that new technologies are unified and that the partners' products are compatible. In addition, experts will help each other create reliable solutions for different industries. The main focus will be on the automotive industry, and then the range of Quintauris GmbH activities will be expanded.
They release devices
RISC-V-based devices are also being produced: ROMA, BPCD, MuseBook, Lichee Console 4A laptops. For example, I will tell you more about the last two.
MuseBook
The laptop appeared in May 2024. It is designed for hardware developers, programmers, and DIY enthusiasts. The price is $300. Of course, this device is not suitable for working with “heavy” content, but it was not intended to be.
The laptop has a 14.1-inch display with a resolution of 1,920 × 1,080 and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The keyboard is familiar to many, but the Windows button has been replaced with an analogue with the RISC-V logo.
The device weighs 1.3 kg and is 18 mm thick. There is a microSD memory card slot, two USB-C ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a headphone connector, an 8-pin connector with support for interfaces such as I2C, UART, PWM, GPIO.
Full list of features:
SoC: SpacemiT K1 8-core X60 RISC-V chip with RVA22;
RAM: up to 16 GB, 32-bit LPDDR4-2400MT, 32-bit LPDDR4X-2666MT;
memory: from 32 GB to 128 GB eMMC, there is an M.2 socket (PCIe 2.1 2x) for NVMe SSD up to 1 TB and a slot for MicroSD memory cards;
display: 14.1-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080, 60 Hz;
net: RTL8852BE Wi-Fi 6 module;
nutrition: USB PD 3.1 Type-C;
dimensions: 322.6 × 209.2 × 17.8 mm;
weight: 1.36 kg;
OS: Bianbu OS from Debian, Ubuntu, Linux are supported.
Laptop Lichee Console 4A
The laptop looks like a miniature model of one of the devices from Lenovo. In fact, it is a project of an independent company that decided to release a device for coders. This laptop has a screen with a diagonal of only 7 inches, in addition, it has 16 GB of RAM and an LM4A TH1520 processor. The price is $ 300.
The device has good functions. It is compatible with LPDDR4X RAM, has a 128 GB SSD, and can connect an external NGFF SSD. The display is 7 inches with a resolution of 1280 × 800. There is an HDMI port that allows you to connect an external monitor. The laptop screen is touch-sensitive and capacitive. You can use a two-megapixel camera for conferences.
Characteristics of Lichee Console 4A:
SOM (system on module): LM4A (TH1520, 4×C910);
RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X;
memory: 128 GB eMMC + external NGFF SSD;
display: 7 inches, 1280×800, miniHDMI available;
input: Capacitive Touch, RedPoint 72-keyboard;
camera: front, 2 MP;
audio: 3.5 mm;
net: Wi-Fi 6 + BT5.4, optional – 1 × GbE;
ports and connectors: 1 × USB3.0 Type-A, 1 × USB3.0 Type-C, 1 × USB2.0 Type-A, 1 × MicroSD;
battery: 3000mAh@7.6V;
dimensions and weight: 18 × 14 × 2 cm, 650 g.
The RISC-V architecture is developing more actively than ARM or x86 did in their time. The same Chinese are now trying to develop the electronic industry using the open RISC-V architecture, creating chips and devices based on it.
Torvalds may be just blowing on water, but he is right about one thing: full open interaction between software and hardware developers is a key moment in popularizing the architecture.
