RISC-V: what is it?

RISC-V is an instruction set architecture or ISA. An instruction set architecture is an abstract model of an architecture computer science which defines things like the register model and machine code instructions. The most popular ISAs are x86 and RMAolder systems like Sparc and VAX hit the big time in computing in the 80s and 90s with early microprocessors like the Z80 and 6502.

Note that ISAs are intellectual property that is licensed. Thus, a manufacturer, like Apple Where Qualcommwho wishes to design an ARM-compatible processor must obtain a license from ARM Ltd, owner of the ISA.

RISC-V, an architecture straight from the academic world

Pronounced “risk-five”, RISC-V is an ISA based on the principles of RISC (reduced instruction set computer). Unlike most other ISA designs, RISC-V is an exception and is licensed open-source which is free to use. The project started in 2010 at the University of California, Berkeley, with non-volunteer contributors affiliates at University.

In order to give the project stability and make it attractive to commercial users, an official RISC-V Foundation has been formed to own, maintain and publish the RISC-V definition. It was recently renamed RISC-V International, headquartered in Switzerland. From a technical point of view, the RISC-V does not integrate innovative functionalities. It follows established RISC principles and uses a load storage architecture. The advantage of this approach is that it does not violate any patent known.

Like many other ISAs, the specification defines different levels of instruction sets. These include 32- and 64-bit variants, as well as extensions to support floating-point instructions. This makes it possible to develop versions suitable for a range ofapps ranging from small embedded microcontrollers to desktop personal computers and supercomputers equipped with vector processors. RISC-V is supported by a number of language compilers, including GNU Compile Collection (GCC), a very popular free software compiler, and by the operating system Linux (32 and 64 bit).