The Industry’s First SoC FPGA Development Kit Based on the RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture is Now Available

Rhea-AI Summary

Microchip Technology Inc. has launched the Icicle Kit for its PolarFire SoC FPGA, marking the first RISC-V-based System-on-Chip (SoC) FPGA development kit. Priced at $489, this kit targets the growing need for affordable RISC-V development platforms. The Icicle Kit enables developers to utilize a variety of tools from the Mi-V RISC-V Partner Ecosystem, enhancing design deployment across multiple industries. The PolarFire SoC FPGA provides up to 50% lower power consumption compared to competitors, optimizing customization and integration for applications in IoT, industrial automation, and more.

Positive

• Launch of the first RISC-V-based SoC FPGA development kit, Icicle Kit, priced at $489.
• Icicle Kit supports a wide range of development tools from the Mi-V RISC-V Partner Ecosystem.
• PolarFire SoC FPGA offers up to 50% lower total power consumption than competitors, enhancing efficiency.
• Expands opportunities for customization and integration on a single chip for various applications.

Negative

• None.

Microchip’s PolarFire^® SoC FPGA Icicle Kit enables the broad RISC-V-based Mi-V ecosystem for the industry’s lowest-power FPGA

CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The rising adoption of the free and open RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) is driving the need for an affordable, standardized development platform that embeds RISC-V technology and leverages the diverse RISC-V ecosystem. To meet this need, Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) is offering the industry’s first RISC-V-based System-on-Chip (SoC) Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) development kit for PolarFire SoC FPGA—the industry-leading low-power, low-cost, RISC-V-based SoC FPGA. Microchip’s Icicle Development Kit for PolarFire (SoC) FPGAs brings together numerous Mi-V partners to accelerate customer design deployment and commercial adoption across a variety of industries.

Designers who want to deploy a programmable RISC-V-based SOC FPGA are now able to start development and evaluate the broad network of RISC-V ecosystem products such as Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), debuggers, compilers, System On Modules (SOMs) and security solutions. The Mi-V RISC-V Partner Ecosystem is a continuously expanding, comprehensive suite of tools and design resources developed by Microchip and numerous third parties to fully support RISC-V designs.

“Microchip is enabling an unprecedented transformation in processor design as the market embraces RISC-V software and silicon,” said Bruce Weyer, vice president of the Field-Programmable Gate Array business unit at Microchip. “We are removing barriers to entry through a low-cost evaluation platform that will give embedded engineers, software designers and hardware developers a vehicle to implement designs that leverage the benefits of the open RISC-V ISA combined with Microchip’s best-in-class form factors, thermals and low-power characteristics of PolarFire SoC FPGAs.”

“It's exciting to see a low-power RISC-V board for under $500,” said David Patterson, vice-chair of the RISC-V International board of directors and 2017 Turing Award winner. “Microchip’s Icicle Kit, with an embedded PolarFire SoC, will accelerate advances in the RISC-V software ecosystem and be a boon to applications that need a low-power mid-range SoC FPGA.”

Microchip’s Icicle Kit for PolarFire SoC and Mi-V ecosystem enables PolarFire SoC FPGAs with:

• RISC-V processor complex from SiFive and embedded trace macro from UltraSoC
• Development tools from Adacore, Green Hills Software, Mentor Graphics and Wind River
• Commercial RTOS solutions such as Nucleus and VxWorks that complement Microchip’s Linux^® and bare-metal solutions
• Middleware solutions from DornerWorks, Hex Five, Veridify Security and wolfSSL
• SOM and design services from organizations such as Antmicro, ARIES Embedded, Digital Core Technologies, Emdalo Technologies, Sundance DSP, and Trenz Electronic

For the latest list of Mi-V partners, visit Microchip’s Mi-V Partner Ecosystem web page.

The Icicle Kit is centered around a 250K Logic Element (LE) PolarFire SoC device and includes a PCIe^® connector, mikroBUS™ socket, dual RJ45 connector, Micro-USB connector, CAN bus connector, Raspberry Pi^® header, JTAG port and SD Card interfaces, which allow developers a full-featured platform for development. The board is supported by Microchip’s fully designed, validated and tested power management and clocking devices, an Ethernet PHY (VSC8662XIC), USB controller (USB3340-EZK-TR) and current sensors (PAC1934T-I/JQ).

PolarFire SoC FPGAs deliver up to 50 percent lower total power than competing devices. By using SoC FPGAs, developers also have greater opportunities for customization and differentiation through the devices’ inherent upgradability and ability to integrate functions on a single chip. The PolarFire SoC FPGA family is available in a variety of packages and sizes to match the performance and power tradeoffs for the application, enabling customers to implement their solutions in package sizes as small as 11 × 11 mm. Microchip’s Icicle Kit for PolarFire SoC FPGAs is ideally suited for smart embedded imaging, IoT, industrial automation, defense, automotive and communication applications.

Availability
Microchip’s Icicle Kit for PolarFire SoC FPGAs (MPFS-ICICLE-KIT-ES) is available today starting at $489.00. PolarFire FPGAs are in production today with early samples of the SoC FPGA available today. For additional information, or to purchase the kit, contact a Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor.

Resources
High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):

• Application image: www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/50087885151/sizes/l/

About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo and PolarFire are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Editorial Contact:	Reader Inquiries:
Brian Thorsen	1-888-624-7435
480-792-7182
brian.thorsen@microchip.com

FAQ

What is the Icicle Kit by Microchip Technology?

The Icicle Kit is the first RISC-V-based SoC FPGA development kit by Microchip, designed for efficient development with PolarFire SoC FPGAs.

What are the key features of the PolarFire SoC FPGA?

The PolarFire SoC FPGA offers low power consumption, customization options, and a comprehensive development environment, making it suitable for various applications.

When was the Icicle Kit released?

The Icicle Kit was launched on September 16, 2020.

How much does the Icicle Kit cost?

The Icicle Kit is priced at $489.

What applications can benefit from the Icicle Kit?

The Icicle Kit is suitable for smart embedded imaging, IoT, industrial automation, defense, automotive, and communication applications.