When working on embedded projects, simple products may only require a general MCU. However, as hardware engineers grow and encounter more complex product forms with additional peripherals, a high-performance, cost-effective CPU may be necessary for our project development.
This article mainly shares a development case of inter-core communication between ARM and RISC-V based on the Tronlong Technology TLT113-EVM evaluation board (based on the Allwinner T113-i). The applicable development environments are as follows.
Windows Development Environment: Windows 7 64bit, Windows 10 64bit
Virtual Machine: VMware 15.5.5
Linux Development Environment: Ubuntu 18.04.4 64bit
U-Boot: U-Boot-2018.07
Kernel: Linux-5.4.61, Linux-RT-5.4.61
Linux SDK: T113_Tina5.0-V1.0 (Linux)As far as I know, Tronlong Technology’s TLT113-EVM evaluation board is currently on a limited-time discount, and this dual-core A7 + RISC-V domestic platform is available for only 99 yuan (based on the Allwinner T113-i industrial-grade processor, including the baseboard, core board, and accessories)! Interested friends can purchase it from Tronlong’s Tmall official flagship store below.If you want to purchase, please log into Tronlong Technology’s Tmall flagship storeStore link: tronlong.tmall.com!Allwinner T113-i Technical QQ Group: 525860770Join now and engage in-depth discussions with technical experts!
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Introduction to OpenAMP
AMP (Asymmetric Multi-Processing) refers to an asymmetric multi-processing architecture. The “asymmetric AMP” dual system means that multiple cores operate relatively independently, running different operating systems or bare-metal applications, such as Linux + RTOS/bare-metal, but require a master core to control the entire system and other slave cores. Each processor core is isolated and has its own memory, allowing them to run different tasks independently while enabling inter-core communication between multiple cores. The OpenAMP framework provides software components for handling asymmetric multi-processing (AMP) systems.
With the increasing demands on embedded systems, asymmetric AMP architecture has become a new choice, mainly applied in industrial fields such as industrial PLCs, relay protection devices, and low-current selection devices.
Figure 1
Introduction to RPMsg
RPMsg (Remote Processor Messaging) is a communication protocol designed specifically for heterogeneous multi-core processing systems. It allows efficient information exchange between different processor cores through shared memory, providing a standardized messaging mechanism between master and slave cores, enabling these different architecture cores to work together and maximize their performance.
The main features of RPMsg include:
(1) Efficient data transmission based on VirtIO managing shared memory;
(2) Avoiding additional copy overhead, optimizing memory usage;
(3) Equipped with synchronization and mutual exclusion mechanisms to ensure efficient and secure data exchange;
Figure 2
Advantages of the T113-i Domestic Platform
The Allwinner T113-i processor can run the Linux operating system, support Qt cool graphical interfaces, 1080P video encoding and decoding, 4G large data transmission, 2Gb super large storage, three display modes (LCD/LVDS/MIPI), and native Gigabit Ethernet/dual CAN, making it an optimal platform for upgrading microcontrollers. Meanwhile, Tronlong Technology’s T113-i industrial core board has achieved a 100% localization rate and provides a “Saibao Laboratory” localization proof report, making your products more distinctive!Additionally, the Tronlong Technology Allwinner T113-i dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz + RISC-V C906 @ 1008MHz fully domestically produced industrial core board is available for only 79 yuan (tax included)! In just over a year, nearly 2000 companies have chosen Tronlong Technology’s T113-i industrial core board for terminal product development, and we welcome inquiries from customers!
Figure 3
(Click the video to unlock the highlights of the Allwinner T113-i fully domestically produced industrial core board in 1 minute!)
Typical Application Areas of the T113-i
Figure 4
T113-i Inter-Core Communication Development Case Demonstration
To simplify the description, this article only extracts part of the solution function description and test results. For detailed product information, please scan the QR code at the end of the article to download.
Case Function
This case mainly uses the RPMsg framework to achieve intercommunication between heterogeneous processors. The ARM core runs the Linux system and the rpmsg_echo application, while the RISC-V core runs the RISC-V program, realizing the reception and transmission of rpmsg data on the ARM side.
Case Testing
First, we connect the PC and the evaluation board’s USB TO UART0 serial port using a Type-C cable, and use an RS232 crossover serial mother-to-mother line and a USB to RS232 male serial line to connect the evaluation board’s RS232 UART2 serial port to the PC’s USB interface, as shown in the figure below.
Figure 5
As we can see, when we start the RISC-V core and load the project image, the RISC-V core will automatically run the program after starting, and the RS232 UART2 serial terminal will print the content shown in the figure below.
Figure 6
Then, we execute the following command to run the ARM side application, sending 5 rpmsg data packets to the RISC-V core. Each time the RISC-V core receives an rpmsg data packet, it will send the data packet back to the ARM side.
Target# ./rpmsg_echo -r c906_rproc@0 -m tronlong -n 5
Figure 7
When the ARM side program runs, the RS232 UART2 serial terminal will print similar information as shown below.
Figure 8
Here, the sharing of the ARM + RISC-V inter-core communication development case comes to an end. To see more related case demonstrations of the Allwinner T113-i, engineers are welcome to scan the QR code at the end of the article to download.
This Allwinner T113-i development board, whether for development or directly for product use, can surely handle it with ease.
Even more surprising is that its price starts at just 99 yuan! Now Tronlong Technology has launched a limited-time promotional price, maximizing cost performance! Interested engineering friends should hurry to purchase!
99 yuan limited-time discount, while stocks last!
If you want to purchase, please log into Tronlong Technology’s Tmall flagship storeStore link: tronlong.tmall.com!
