In the last few years, Antmicro has been collaborating with the Google ChromeOS team on simulation-based testing of the ChromiumOS FPMCU (Fingerprint Firmware) module, first by introducing an EC testing suite along with improved support for STM32-based platforms, followed by adding support for the Nuvoton NPCX9 platform in our Renode simulation framework.
In a recent follow-up project, we introduced Renode support for the Egis ET171 platform based on the Andes E350 SoC template featuring the RISC-V-based Andes D25F MCU, with FPMCU firmware based on the Zephyr RTOS. The goal was to provide a comprehensive CI testing environment for the ChromiumOS fingerprint module and improve the software development workflow.
This article describes the scope of the support for the Andes D25F-based platform in Renode and the testing infrastructure employing the Zephyr RTOS, as well as other improvements introduced throughout the project, including support for two Focaltech FT9001-based platforms.
ChromiumOS Embedded Controller (EC) testing suite
The EC tester was developed to provide a Continuous Integration-based testing environment for the FPMCU module. The test suite uses Renode for simulation and GitHub Actions for EC test execution and automation. Together, they enable comprehensive yet flexible testing of various platforms used in the fingerprint module.
The EC test suite originally included the STM32F412- and STM32H743-based platforms (codenamed Bloonchipper and Dartmonkey, respectively), and was later expanded with a Nuvoton NPCX9-based platform codenamed Helipilot.
The most recent additions to the EC tester include the Egis ET171 (called Sanok) and two FocalTech FT9001 platforms (Chobienia and Chudow). The test suite now includes RESC scripts for running the FPMCU EC firmware in Renode for the Egis ET171 and FT9001 platforms. Additionally, we updated the scripts generating Robot Framework tests to support the new ztest based tests.
Supporting the RISC-V based Andes D25F core / E350 SoC template and ET171 SoC in Renode
The ET171 platform features the eponumous ET171 SoC, which in reality predominantly builds on the Andes E350 SoC platform licensed from Taiwan-based Andes Technology, a fellow long-standing RISC-V International member. In this particular instantiation of the E350 platform, the 32-bit D25F RISC-V CPU core from Andes is used, providing high performance and high operating frequency, Bit-Manipulation extensions, and other features in a small silicon footprint, making it suitable for applications involving networking and sensor devices.
In the broader sense, support for the Andes D25F/E350 in Renode is interesting in that, as an IP provider, Andes licenses its RISC-V cores and platforms to many companies worldwide, shipping in billions of devices. This opens the opportunity to simulate those devices in Renode with less effort.
Mirroring the existing Zephyr support, we introduced the following peripherals to Renode:
- Andes ATCPIT100 Programmable Interval Timer
- Andes ATCWDT200 Watchdog Timer
- Andes NCEPLIC100 Platform-Level Interrupt Controller
- Andes ATCRTC100 Real Time Clock
- Andes ATCGPIO100 GPIO Controller
- Andes ATCSPI200 SPI Controller
- Puya P25Q Flash Controller
- Egis ET171 AOSMU Always On System Management Unit
- Hardware cryptography peripheral implementing SHA-256, with a basic True Random Number Generator (TRNG)
Aside from the on-SoC peripherals, we have expanded Renode support for the Andes core with the improved handling of the AndeStar V5 extension - a custom set of RISC-V instructions and CSRs specific to Andes.
The Egis ET171 board is available in Antmicro’s System Designer where you can find supported Zephyr samples with UART outputs, execution traces, logs, and other assets. You can also try the recently introduced Renode GUI that integrates with System Designer to run the samples yourself.
FPMCU platforms in Renode
We also added support for the FocalTech FT9001 platform in Renode, again basing on the existing Zephyr support. This includes the following peripherals:
- FocalTech FT9001 USART
- FocalTech FT9001 CPM (Clock & Power Manager)
- FocalTech FT9001 TRNG
- FocalTech FT9001 Reset peripheral
- Mock of ROM functions
For a list of available Zephyr samples and other assets for the FT9001 platform, refer to the System Designer portal.
Simulation-based testing for your embedded system
With broad support for various platforms, now including SoCs based on the RISC-V Andes D25F core such as the Egis ET171, Renode provides all the features necessary for comprehensive testing of embedded systems used for biometric authentication, industrial IoT, security research, and more.
If you’re interested in adding your platform to Renode for comprehensive software development and testing in a virtual environment, reach out to us at contact@antmicro.com.
