The University joins the RISC-V alliance

RISC-V is an open standard instruction set architecture based on established reduced instruction set computer (RISC) principles to control microprocessors and microcontrollers.

Sergey Mikushev, Vice-Rector for Research of St Petersburg University, underlined that RISC-V is one of the most important cutting-edge trends in the development of computing technology.

Intelligent software and materials are essential components of the processes of development, production and implementation of advanced technologies in microelectronics. However, special attention should be paid to the training of future experts and the improvement of existing academic programmes.

Sergey Mikushev, Vice-Rector for Research of St Petersburg University

‘Therefore, we are already actively involved in the development of academic courses, guidelines and teaching aids on RISC-V technology to help all interested educational organisations. By the beginning of the next academic year, together with other members of the alliance we plan to publish the first results for free use by the community,’ said Sergey Mikushev, Vice-Rector for Research.

This year, first master’s and bachelor’s graduation projects based on research into RISC-V software technology are already going to be defended at St Petersburg University. The University plans to develop this research area with industrial partners interested in its research team. According to Sergey Mikushev, interaction in the alliance will make it possible to jointly solve urgent tasks in the field of RISC-V technology even more successfully than before for other platforms.

The RISC-V Alliance was established in September 2022. Its main goal is to create an open community of software and hardware developers controlled by the community members for further development of RISC-V architecture in Russia. The members of the alliance include: server and storage manufacturer Yadro; processor developer Baikal Electronics; developer of the Vostok technological software and hardware platform; developer of the Astra Linux operating system Astra Group; and research and educational organisations.

Among the tasks the alliance is planning to deal with are: promoting unification of recommendations to software developed or adapted to work with RISC-V microprocessor architecture; conducting research in the field of product development using this technology, its implementation and usage; and developing recommendations on information security in this field to name just a few.

Training future experts in advanced technologies based on open architecture and expert support of software developers are among the main activities of the RISC-V alliance.

‘Cooperation with universities is key to building any technological ecosystem. Excellent staff training, qualified researchers, high engineering culture − all this characterises the universities joining the alliance,’ said Anna Serebryanikova, Director of the association. ‘We hope that our joint efforts will contribute to the development of cutting-edge RISC-V technology in Russia and give thousands of young professionals an opportunity to receive an education that meets the promising needs of the IT industry.’