Fraunhofer IPMS RISC-V processor core for functional safety supported by IAR Systems development tools
July 9, 2021 – With its latest release of development tools for RISC-V processors, Swedish software manufacturer IAR Systems supports the Fraunhofer Institute’s ISO 26262 ASIL-D “EMSA5-FS” certified RISC-V processor core for IPMS photonic microsystems. Users of the toolchain software will thus benefit from simplified certification processes for functional safety, reduced costs over the entire product lifecycle, and maximum performance in RISC-V based applications. The new EMSA5-FS processor core from Fraunhofer IPMS is marketed by partner CAST Inc.
Safety-related applications can be found all over the world, in drive controls, automation technology, vehicle chassis and engine controls, as well as medical infusion pumps and pacemakers. Safety standards such as IEC 61508 aim to ensure that electronic systems meet the latest safety requirements. This also applies to processors that are to be used in these systems. The choice of development toolchain plays a crucial role and can directly influence the security integrity of these devices. Therefore, it pays to choose a certified software development process that has been externally and independently verified.
“Functional safety is important in many on-board systems and is becoming increasingly relevant. After being the first to market a RISC-V processor core that can be certified to ISO 26262, we are happy to also be able to offer developers the use of a pre-certified development tool for our IP core. said Marcus Pietzsch, group leader for IP cores and ASICs at Fraunhofer IPMS. “By using IAR Systems’ pre-certified development tool, companies can simplify their own certification process, increase the quality of their own design process, and reduce costs throughout the product lifecycle. “
IAR Embedded Workbench® for RISC-V gives developers access to a complete C / C ++ compiler and debugger toolchain. For companies developing safety critical applications, IAR Embedded Workbench for RISC-V is also available in a functional safety version: It is certified by TÜV SÜD in accordance with the relevant standards IEC 61508, ISO 26262, IEC 62304, EN 50128, EN 50657, IEC 60730, ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 61511 and ISO 25119 and includes qualified tools throughout the product lifecycle.
The EMSA5-FS IP core FS processor from Fraunhofer IPMS can be made available for any FPGA platform. Integration into customer-specific ASICs for all foundry technologies is also possible. Fraunhofer IPMS further provides services to extend the IP kernel with customer-specific modules. The commercially available EMSA5-FS processor core is marketed by partner CAST Inc.
About Fraunhofer’s IPMS
The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS stands for applied research and development in the fields of intelligent industrial solutions, medical technology and improving quality of life. Our research focuses on miniaturized sensors and actuators, integrated circuits, wireless and wired data communication, and custom MEMS systems. Fraunhofer IPMS has years of experience in drafting and designing IP cores for automotive communication and offers various IP cores for LIN, CAN2.0 / FD / XL, TSN Ethernet and RISC-V. It has more than 150 primary IP users around the world, the majority of which are in the automotive, aerospace and manufacturing industries. Fraunhofer IPMS multidisciplinary IP design team with domain specific expertise such as IT architectures, network structures and RTL design up to electronic systems implementation is also available as a development partner competent for application-specific adaptations of IP cores and their integration into complex system architectures.
About CAST, Inc
CAST, Inc. develops and sells digital IP cores for ASICs and FPGAs. The product line includes compression algorithms, microcontrollers and processors, SoC security modules as well as various peripherals, interfaces and other IP cores.
About IAR systems
Swedish software maker IAR Systems provides scalable embedded system software tools and services for the telecommunications, industrial automation and automotive industries. It thus enables companies around the world to create the products of today and the innovations of tomorrow. Since 1983, IAR Systems solutions have ensured quality, reliability and efficiency in the development of more than one million embedded applications.
