At SCALE 23x, Yuning Liang presented an important step forward for the RISC-V ecosystem: enabling Linux kernel support before silicon is available.
Traditionally, upstream support for the Linux kernel begins only after hardware becomes available. While this approach has long been standard in the industry, it often delays software readiness and slows ecosystem development. Kernel bring-up, debugging, and upstream contributions typically occur late in the hardware cycle, leaving developers racing to stabilize the software stack once silicon arrives.
The session introduced the concept of pre-silicon kernel upstreaming, a workflow that allows developers to begin upstreaming kernel features before the physical chip exists.
By using simulation platforms and pre-silicon verification environments, kernel developers can run and test Linux against virtual hardware models. This makes it possible to validate functionality and submit upstream patches much earlier in the development process.
Continuous integration and automated testing also play an important role. CI/CD pipelines allow kernel patches to be tested regularly against simulated platforms, helping identify issues early and keeping development aligned with upstream kernel changes.
Pre-silicon upstreaming enables closer collaboration between hardware designers and software developers. By working together earlier in the development cycle, teams can identify potential issues sooner and improve hardware interfaces for better software compatibility.
The result is a much shorter bring-up cycle. When silicon finally becomes available, the kernel support is already well tested and close to upstream readiness.
The momentum behind RISC-V laptops continues to build — and now you can secure your place in the next chapter.
DeepComputing has officially opened first-batch reservations for the DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard III, our next-generation RISC-V platform with RVA23 support, designed for developers, early adopters, and ecosystem contributors.
This reservation gives you priority access to the initial production batch before broader availability.
If you’re ready to:
Reserve your unit now and secure your place in the first release.
