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

Block Diagram

Introduction

VSRVES01 is a low-power, Linux-capable, mixed-signal SoC that has two different cores suited for different tasks: a RISC-V core for running Linux-based protocols, and a VSDSP6 core for real-time signal processing tasks. VSRVES01 also contains a high-quality audio ADC and DAC, Ethernet, and other peripherals.

The VSRV1 RISC-V core, developed by VLSI Solution in Tristan and SocHub projects, is capable of running stock Linux. Linux boot time, including Ethernet networking, is only 2.6 seconds. As a speciality, Linux can be rebooted without interruption of audio playback.

The 72/32-bit VSDSP6 core can run VLSI Solution's pre-emptive multitasking real-time operating system VSOS, freeing the RISC-V core from real-time loads. VSDSP6 also acts as the boot processor of the SoC. It can boot and load Linux from an SD card in less than 4 seconds, leading to a total cold boot time of about 6 seconds at 98 MHz.

The fast boot times mean that 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.)

In addition to decoding and playing audio, VSDSP6 can process signals like sensory data (IoT), or run audio DSP functions, like a high-quality equalizer, pitch shifter, AEC, etc.

A necessary but often neglected feature, VSRVES01 has an audio sample rate converter capable of adjusting the sample rate on the fly with an accuracy of 0.01 Hz, making playback of Internet audio smooth and non-clicky.

VSRVES01 is well-suited for applications like PA and emergency systems with a large number of speakers, low-delay PoE Speakers, IoT devices with data collection and sensor signal processing, VoIP systems, Network or Web interface audio players, and much more.

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

Features

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 / DAC, 0-97.5 kHz, sample rate adjustable with 0.01 Hz steps
  • 2 x 24-bit / ADC, 8, 16, 32, 48, 96, 192 kHz
  • 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