Evaluating a RISC-V processor running Benchmarks using the QEMU Virtual Platform tool.

Abstract: In recent years, developers have wanted to design more complex and advanced embedded processors. The feasibility of developed processors must be verified before the actual application. However, the process of verification always needs high costs and time. Quick Emulator (QEMU), a virtual platform emulator, can help in this situation. It can emulate different processors and hardware environments and build a unique platform according to the designers wishes. Many people have used QEMU to emulate advanced Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processors (like ARM) or the X86 architectures. Still, there is little research on RISC-V processors. Therefore, studying the QEMU to emulate the RISC-V processor is important. This thesis aims to evaluate the performance of the RISC-V processor using QEMU. Ten different benchmarks are designed, and their results are compared to reflect the performance of the RISC-V as well as the simulator. These results provide a reference when these benchmarks are run on the RISC-V processor that is on the actual hardware development board.