Summary of Cinque, Combining RISC-V With Arduino
SiFive has launched the Arduino Cinque, the first Arduino board featuring the RISC-V instruction set architecture. Powered by the SiFive Freedom E310 microcontroller running at 320 MHz, it also integrates an Espressif ESP32 chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Additionally, an STM32F103 chip handles USB to UART translation. This combination aims to provide makers access to advanced silicon through a popular open-source development platform.
Parts used in the Arduino Cinque:
- SiFive Freedom E310 microcontroller
- Espressif ESP32 chip
- STM32F103 chip
- E31 CPU Coreplex (32-bit RV32IMAC Core)
- 16KB L1 instruction cache
- 16KB data SRAM scratchpad
- Debugging module
- One-time programmable non-volatile memory
- On-chip oscillators and PLLS
- UART peripheral
- QSPI peripheral
- PWM peripheral
- Timer peripheral
After announcing “HiFive1” at the end of 2016, SiFive is introducing its second RISC-V based development board “The Arduino Cinque“. It is the first Arduino board that is featuring RISC-V instruction set architecture.
Arduino Cinque is running SiFive’s Freedom E310, one of the fastest and powerful microcontrollers in the hardware market. It also includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities by using the efficient, low-power Espressif ESP32 chip. During the Maker Faire Bay Area on May 20th, only some prototypes of Arduino Cinque were available for demonstration.
The FE310 SoC features the E31 CPU Coreplex (32-bit RV32IMAC Core) with 16KB L1 instruction cache and 16KB data SRAM scratchpad. It runs at 320 MHz operating speed and it also has a debugging module, one-time programmable non-volatile memory (OTP), and on-chip oscillators and PLLS. FE310 also supports UART, QSPI, PWM, and timer peripherals and low-power standby mode.
The availability of the Arduino Cinque provides the many dreamers, tinkerers, professional makers and aspiring entrepreneurs access to state-of-the-art silicon on one of the world’s most popular development architectures. Using an open-source chip built on top of RISC-V is the natural evolution of open-source hardware, and the Arduino Cinque has the ability to put powerful SiFive silicon into the hands of makers around the world.
~ Dale Dougherty, founder and executive chairman of Maker Media
Details and other specifications of the Cinque are still poor, but we can expect its strength from the chips and SoCs it uses. It uses STM32F103, that has Cortex-M3 core with a maximum CPU speed of 72 MHz, to provide the board with USB to UART translation. ESP32 is also used as for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Read more: Cinque, Combining RISC-V With Arduino
- What is the primary architectural feature of the Arduino Cinque?
It is the first Arduino board that features the RISC-V instruction set architecture. - How fast does the main microcontroller run?
The SiFive Freedom E310 runs at a 320 MHz operating speed. - Which chip provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities?
The efficient, low-power Espressif ESP32 chip provides these wireless features. - What component handles USB to UART translation?
The STM32F103 chip with a Cortex-M3 core is used for this function. - Does the FE310 SoC support low power modes?
Yes, it supports a low-power standby mode. - What type of core is included in the FE310 SoC?
It features the E31 CPU Coreplex which is a 32-bit RV32IMAC Core. - When was the project first announced?
SiFive announced the HiFive1 at the end of 2016 before introducing the Cinque. - Where were prototypes demonstrated?
Prototypes were available for demonstration at the Maker Faire Bay Area on May 20th.
