CAST, in collaboration with Microchip Technology, has launched the EMSA5-FS, a RISC-V processor designed for functional safety (FuSa) applications in critical sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and space. This processor, the first of its kind to obtain ISO 26262 ASIL-D certification, is optimized to run on Microchip’s PolarFire® FPGAs, providing a reliable and low-power solution for systems where errors can have serious consequences.
A processor designed for critical applications
The EMSA5-FS is a 32-bit processor compatible with the RISC-V instruction set, specifically developed to meet functional safety standards for high-availability applications. The ASIL-D certification, granted by SGS-TÜV Saar, allows its use in high-risk automotive applications, where the highest levels of safety integrity are required. This milestone makes the EMSA5-FS the only processor of its kind within Microchip’s Mi-V ecosystem, a platform that enables designers to develop RISC-V based solutions on FPGA devices.
Advanced features for functional safety
The EMSA5-FS incorporates various features that ensure its reliability in mission-critical environments:
- Dual or Triple Modular Redundancy (DMR/TMR): The processor can be configured in DMR (dual modular redundancy) or TMR (triple modular redundancy) to detect and correct faults. In DMR mode, the outputs of two parallel processors are constantly compared to identify errors, while TMR mode uses three instances and a voting system, allowing the processor to maintain proper functioning even in the presence of faults.
- Memory Protection Unit (MPU): This unit segments memory into protected regions, limiting access and preventing data corruption, which is essential in high-security systems.
- Error Correcting Code (ECC): Implemented in memory and buses, ECC detects and corrects errors, protecting data integrity.
- Security and Reset Managers: These systems enable a reset in case of failure, monitor logic and execution time, and can be customized according to the needs of each application.
Advantages of PolarFire FPGAs in safety applications
The EMSA5-FS is designed to operate on Microchip’s PolarFire FPGAs, a technology known for its low power consumption and high reliability. Unlike conventional FPGAs based on static RAM, PolarFire devices use non-volatile technology that is resistant to single event upsets (SEUs), making them ideal for environments with high radiation exposure, such as space. Furthermore, these devices offer high security and are immune to power shutdown issues, ensuring their operation in extreme situations.
PolarFire FPGAs provide a combination of low power consumption and high performance, allowing developers to integrate the EMSA5-FS into critical systems without compromising efficiency or reliability. According to CAST, evaluations show that the EMSA5-FS achieves competitive performance on these platforms, maintaining low operational costs and high stability.
A robust development ecosystem
The EMSA5-FS is part of Microchip’s Mi-V Ecosystem, a platform that provides certified tools for the development of RISC-V systems. Among these tools is the IAR Systems toolchain, validated by TÜV SÜD to meet standards such as ISO 26262. This compatibility ensures a development and verification process that facilitates obtaining safety certifications for final products.
Additionally, CAST offers a basic microcontroller reference design that integrates the EMSA5-FS into Microchip’s FPGAs, simplifying prototyping and evaluation. This design includes SRAM and SDRAM memory controllers, timers, UART and GPIO interfaces, and allows developers to adapt the configuration to meet the specific requirements of each application.
The future of functional safety in RISC-V
The launch of the EMSA5-FS marks a significant step towards the expansion of RISC-V in functional safety applications, an area where open architectures are gaining traction. CAST, with over 25 years of experience in developing IP cores for microcontrollers and processors, offers a unique solution in the RISC-V market, enabling manufacturers to develop safe and high-performance products in sectors where reliability is essential.
The EMSA5-FS not only addresses the safety needs of critical systems but also facilitates reducing time and costs in the development of high-risk products. This innovation, backed by GlobalFoundries and Microchip technology, enhances the reliability and efficiency of the RISC-V architecture in markets where safety is a top priority, from autonomous vehicles to medical devices and aerospace equipment.
With the EMSA5-FS, CAST and Microchip are opening new possibilities for functional safety in RISC-V, contributing to a future where secure and efficient technology is within reach of more developers and industrial sectors.
via: Microchip