PolarBerry is a System-on-Module (SoM) SBC utilizing the Microchip PolarFire SoC, which integrates a low-power FPGA with a highly secure, four-application-core, 64-bit, Linux-capable RISC-V subsystem.

Doesn’t Cost an ARM and a Leg

PolarBerry is the first production- and deployment-ready SoM with a hardened real-time, Linux-capable, RISC-V-based MPU subsystem bringing low power consumption, thermal efficiency, and defense-grade security to embedded systems. With a deterministic, coherent RISC-V CPU cluster and a deterministic L2 memory subsystem enabling Linux and real-time applications, PolarBerry is the ideal SoM for users who are looking to develop systems which are not based on ARM processors.

Built-in Security

With its defense-grade security, PolarBerry is an ideal SoM for applications where security is paramount. PolarBerry offers all the important attributes for a strong SoC FPGA design security at no cost to the system developers.

Low- and High-speed Connectivity

Polarfire offers several interfaces, including a Raspberry Pi-compatible connector which gives developers access to most RPi HATs for prototyping and development. There’s also one RJ45 connector of Ethernet, two CAN bus interfaces, and a JTAG programming interface. If used with a carrier board, PolarBerry offers many more interfaces, including 4 x SERDES lanes at 12.5 Gbps for applications like imaging that required high-speed data communications.

RISC-V Integration Made Easy

PolarBerry is a production- and deployment-ready SoM that will instantly jumpstart your product development. This compact (5.5 x 8.5 cm), self-contained SoM puts the power of RISC-V hard cores directly in your hands. Integration is easy - the board can be powered via its onboard Raspberry Pi interface, via our SE215 high-speed carrier board, or via a carrier board of your own design.

SE215 PCIe SoM carrier board shown with a non-PolarBerry module

Application Flexibility

PolarBerry is designed to be application-flexible, while also being quick to use and deploy. Its combination of features make it perfect for applications that require high-performance but a low power draw, defense-level security, a real-time, deterministic RISC-V processor that’s capable of Linux, a small physical profile, immediate connectivity, or custom extensibility - such as those in the autonomous vehicle or defense industries.

FPGA, RISC-V, and Linux

With its PolarFire SoC, PolarBerry provides a system with hardened, deterministic, coherent RISC-V processing and programmable logic - enabling real-time systems and Linux with unparalleled security features.

SBC and SoM Form-factor

As the board is essentially an SBC in a SoM form-factor, it can be utilized as a standalone module or along with a carrier board like the Sundance DSP SE215 carrier or one of your own design.

A Raspberry Pi connector, two CAN bus interfaces, and an RJ45 port for Ethernet allows PolarBerry to tap into extensive ecosystems, and its Samtec connectors provide high-speed communication to a carrier board for powerful peripheral customization.

For example, PolarBerry works well with our SE215 PCIe SoM carrier board which provides access to an FMC and additional interfaces like an SFP+ module.

Security

PolarBerry utilizes the PolarFire FPGA fabric and RISC-V processors to provide high levels of security for real-time applications. It features advanced code and bitstream security and anti-tamper engines. These measures give PolarBerry previously unheard-of, defense-level security for an SBC/SoM:

• Bitstream protection
• Key management
• FPGA hardware access control
• Anti-cloning protection
• Device-level anti-tamper features
• Supply chain assurance
• Secure boot
• Physical memory protection (PMP)

Features & Specifications

• SoC: Microchip PolarFire SoC MPFS250T-FCVG484
  • 5 x RISC-V cores in a deterministic, coherent cluster
    • 1 x RV64IMAC monitor core
    • 4 x RV64GC application cores
  • 254K x logic elements (4LUT + DFF)
  • 784 x math blocks (18 x 18 MACC)
  • 4 x SERDES lanes at 12.5 Gbps
  • 12 W maximum power consumption
  • Built-in oscillator for configuration, etc.
• Security:
  • DPA-resistant bitstream programming
  • DPA-resistant secure boot
  • Anti-tamper
  • CRI DPA countermeasures pass-through license
• Memory: Micron MT40A1G16WBU-083E:B
  • 4 GB of 32-bit wide DDR4 memory
• Storage:
  • 128 MB SPI serial NOR flash for storing boot image
  • 4 GB eMMC for general use
• Clock Sources:
  • 1 x 25 MHz XO with ±10 ppm stability over temperature, as reference
  • 4 x Silicon Labs SI5338A programmable clock sources, providing flexible clocking to FPGA and high-speed transceivers
• Transceivers:
  • 4 x high-speed, low-power transceivers from 250 Mbps – 12.7 Gbps
• Expansion Interfaces:
  • High-speed IO: 3 x high-speed Samtec connectors
    • Bank 1 IO from FPGA including ULPI
    • JTAG
    • SPI interface from FPGA
    • 100/1000BASE-T interface
  • Raspberry Pi connector: 40-pin (2 x 20) male headers with standard 0.1" (2.54 mm) pitch
    • 1 x I²C from RISC-V subsystem
    • 1 x UART from RISC-V subsystem
    • 20 x GPIOs from FPGA subsystem (can be assigned to SPI, UART, CAN or another interface from RISC-V subsystem)
    • 6 x GPIOs from RISC-V subsystem
    • All RPi signals are 3.3 V logic
  • CAN: four-pin (1 x 4) male headers with standard 0.1" (2.54 mm) pitch
    • 2 x CAN 2.0 PHY
  • Ethernet: RJ45 connector
    • 100/1000BASE-T
• Power: Intel EN63A0QA
  • Operates on 5 and 3.3 V input
  • Maximum power consumption of the module is 16 W
• Dimensions: 55 x 85 mm
• Temperature range: -0°C to +85°C

Functional Schematic

Click to enlarge

Comparisons

Support & Documentation

• PolarBerry overview
• PolarFire SoC brochure
• PolarFire SoC overview
• Linux builds
• Bare-metal libraries
• RISC-V documentation

Development Tools

SundanceDSP is part of the Microsemi Mi-V ecosystem, which brings together tools and vendors tailored for the PolarFire SoC, including:

• OS: Yocto, BuildRoot, FreeBSD
• RTOS: FreeRTOS, Zephyr, and others
• Compilers: GCC, IAR, and others
• Tools: Renode, Libero

Free Libero Silver License

Developing on the PolarBerry requires a Libero Silver license, which is free of charge and valid for one year. Once that license has expired, you will be able to generate a new license each year for free.