Canonical Partners with Microchip to Bring Ubuntu to Microchip’s PIC64GX RISC-V® MPUs

​​In an exciting development for the community of open-source and edge computing, Canonical has partnered with Microchip to bring Ubuntu to PIC64GX RISC-V® microprocessors (MPUs). The PIC64GX is a 64-bit Linux® Operating System (OS)-capable processor series designed to address intelligent edge computing needs. The PIC64GX MPU series includes four SiFive RISC-V U54 64-bit CPU cores supporting symmetric and asymmetric multiprocessing (SMP/AMP) as well as deterministic latencies. 

Microchip’s PIC64 portfolio is supported by a suite of development tools, including the Curiosity PIC64GX1000 Kit ES (Curiosity Evaluation Kit). Canonical and Microchip have jointly collaborated to bring Ubuntu to Microchip’s PIC64GX RISC-V® MPU and the Curiosity Evaluation Kit. 

Microchip’s PIC64GX: secure, power-efficient RISC-V-based MPU with Ubuntu support

The PIC64GX MPU micro-architecture implementation is a simple, five-stage, single-issue, in-order pipeline that is not vulnerable to the Meltdown and Spectre exploits that frequently occur in common, out-of-order machines. 

The platform features five RISC-V cores which are coherent with the memory subsystem, allowing a versatile mix of deterministic real-time systems and Linux in a single, multi-core processor cluster. 

Thanks to the long-standing collaboration between Microchip and Canonical, Ubuntu is available on the PIC64GX MPU and Curiosity Evaluation Kit at launch. Through Ubuntu, developers gain access to a vast repository of open source software, development tools and a community of innovators fostering rapid development and deployment of applications. The integrated secure boot and comprehensive security features of the PIC64GX are complemented by Ubuntu’s rigorous security practices, ensuring a fortified hardware and software platform resilient against potential threats. Furthermore, the collaboration between Microchip and Canonical ensures ongoing compatibility and regular updates on Ubuntu for the PIC64GX. This partnership empowers developers to utilise cutting-edge open source technologies on a secure, scalable and efficient embedded computing platform.

Download Ubuntu for Microchip’s Curiosity Evaluation Kit

An Ubuntu image is now available for Microchip’s PIC64GX1000 Curiosity  Evaluation Kit, and more work is expected to include upcoming features and a port to the upcoming Ubuntu 24.10 release. Download the latest Ubuntu images for Microchip’s PIC64GX1000 Curiosity Evaluation Kit here.

For guidance and discussion on the images and the best ways to install them, please check and contribute to the installation instruction so everyone can benefit from your experience. 

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