Muntjac -- Open Source Multicore RV64 Linux-capable SoC

Abstract

Muntjac is an open-source collection of components utilized to construct a multicore, Linux-capable System-on-Chip (SoC). This design incorporates a 64-bit RISC-V core and a cache subsystem, leveraging the TileLink interconnect to achieve cache-coherent multicore configurations. The components are highly configurable, prioritizing ease of understanding, verification, and extension for deployment across a wide range of applications.

Report

Key Highlights

• Open Source Platform: Muntjac provides a fully open-source hardware component collection for building SoCs.
• Multicore RV64: It supports multicore configurations based on the 64-bit RISC-V instruction set architecture (RV64).
• Linux Capable: The design includes necessary features (like memory management units) required to successfully run the Linux operating system.
• Cache Coherent: The system incorporates a robust cache subsystem and interconnect specifically designed to maintain cache coherence across multiple cores.
• Design Philosophy: Components are explicitly designed to be easy to understand, verify, and extend, making them highly usable for research and development.

Technical Details

• Core Type: 64-bit RISC-V core.
• Interconnect Standard: Uses the TileLink protocol, which is critical for enabling complex, cache-coherent communication between the cores and memory components.
• System Components: Includes the central RISC-V core, a cache subsystem, and the unifying TileLink interconnect fabric.
• Configurability: The components are designed to be configurable, allowing developers to tailor the SoC architecture to meet specific application requirements.

Implications

• Accelerating Open-Source Hardware: Muntjac contributes a fully functional, complex, and verified RV64 multicore foundation to the open-source hardware ecosystem, lowering the barrier to entry for advanced SoC design.
• Educational and Research Value: Due to the emphasis on ease of understanding and verification, Muntjac serves as an excellent reference design for academic institutions and researchers exploring custom RISC-V architecture modifications or multicore scheduling.
• RISC-V Maturity: The demonstration of a robust, open-source, cache-coherent multicore system capable of running Linux signifies the continued maturation and viability of the RISC-V ecosystem for complex computing tasks.