ARC International has announced that its newest configurable, licensable RISC/DSP processor core now supports Linux. An embedded Linux kernel and toolchain for the ARC 700 will be available on October 1 from Codito Technologies, along with commercial support. The chip targets VoIP and digital wireless, imaging, and audio applications.

The ARC 700

According to ARC, The ARC 700 processor is a 7 stage 32-bit scalar RISC architecture delivered as a synthesizable HDL. It can be configured for very small die sizes and silicon costs, ARC says, and can be extended with DSP capabilities. It implements a memory management unit (MMU) and processing modes to support feature-rich and secure OSs such as Linux, ARC says. It supports high clock rates, but is optimized for area — ARC claims it is the smallest 400MHz processor available.

ARC 700 block diagram
(Click to enlarge)

Codito's Linux support package comprises a BSP (board support package), including a kernel, drivers, and GNU tool chain. The GNU tool chain supports the ARC 700's DSP capabilities, while Linux provides process-level protection, the companies say.

The ARC Linux kernel includes features targeting embedded systems, including uClinux, XIP (execute in place), kernel pre-emption, and support for compressed file systems for deeply embedded systems with limited memory. ARC says the kernel is fine tuned and optimized for the ARC 700, utilizing features such as bit-operation instructions, 16-bit instructions for code compaction provided by the ARCompact ISA, multiple address spaces through the ARC 700 MMU, and TLB flushing.

“Codito's Linux for the ARC 700 has been built with its extendibility in mind, to allow customers to take full advantage of its capabilities in their devices,” added Patanjali Somayaji, CEO, Codito Technologies.

ARC's VP of marketing Derek Meyer said, “Our customers can now configure a small die-size processor supported by an industry standard and royalty-free operating system for their next generation, high-volume SOCs.”

 
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