RISC-V provides a new option for microcontroller and microprocessor designs. Embedded designers now have a choice for basing their products either on one of several proprietary commercial processor architectures, or using the RISC-V open architecture with no royalty fees or charges per use. In many markets where the number of processors in a production series can potentially number in the millions, the cost savings from eliminating paying royalty fees can be substantial.

In this white paper, we examine the RISC-V ISA, paying special attention to how design tools can get the most out of this innovative architecture.