VSRVES01 – Linux-capable Risc-V and VSDSP System-on-a-Chip

Block diagram

Introduction

VSRVES01 stand for VLSI Solution's Risc-V Engineering Samples version 01. It is an all-new, flexible audio platform IC capable of running stock Linux 6.1.

VSRVES01 is built around two cores. One of the cores is a standard RISC-V32, capable of running stock Linux when at least 128 MiB of external 16-bit LPDDR2 memory is connected to it. The other core is VLSI Solution's proprietary VSDSP6, running our own real-time operatins system VSOS. The cores can run software under their respective operating systems simultaneously while communicating with each other.

VSRVES01's digital interfaces provide flexible access to external devices in standalone applications. The analog interfaces provide high-quality analog audio inputs and outputs.

One of VSRVES01's most exciting features is its cold boot time. It can do a cold boot from power-up to running Linux with network configures in less than 7 seconds. To get a splash screen on e.g. an external LCD or LED display, a smaller piece of software can be loaded to the RISC-V side of VSRVES01 in approximately 1.5 seconds after power-up. This will make it possible to create flexible systems that give quick user feedback after power-up.

Below is a YouTube video that shows the cold boot speed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVfLTfrb33M
(NOTE: Even though the video is new, boot speed has already been enhanced after making it.)

VSRVES01 is available in a 88-pin 10x10x0.8mm QFN88 package.

(This placeholder page will be updated before end of June 2025, after the official press release.)

Features

(This is currently a placeholder page and will be updated before end of June 2025)

Cores

  • 32-bit Risc-V VSRV1 core capable of running Linux 6.1
  • VSDSP6 signal processing core running VLSI's proprietary VSOS
  • Both pocessor cores can run simultaneously in their own memories

RISC-V Running Linux

  • RV32IMS zicsr zifencei core
  • Capable of running stock Linux 6.1 for RISC-V32
  • MMU and 2x64 KiB I- and D-cache
  • Boots Linux in less than 3 seconds
  • Requires min 128 MiB 16-bit LPDDR2 to run Linux

VSDSP6 Running VSOS

  • 512 KiB fast S-RAM for code and data
  • VSOS multitasking Real-Time OS
  • Boot time of about 1.5 seconds
  • Loads 35 MiB Linux image from SD card in about 1.5 seconds
  • VSOS Shell Environment for easy prototyping and software development

Power

  • (TBD)

Analog Audio

  • 2 x 24-bit / 96kHz DAC
  • 2 x 24-bit / 192kHz ADC
  • Stereo line output
  • Stereo line input

Digital Audio

  • Ethernet 10/100 MB/s RGMII interface

Memory

  • SD card interface

General Purpose I/O

  • 4 external + 2 internal UARTs
  • SPI bus

Other Hardware Features

  • Operates with a single 12.288 MHz clock

Package

QFN88 10x10x0.8mm