RISC-V Foundational Associate (RVFA)

The RVFA exam demonstrates an individual possesses the fundamental, entry-level knowledge and skills required of RISC-V hardware and software professionals.

An RVFA will have demonstrated skills and knowledge relating to the RISC-V ISA (Instruction Set Architecture), including basic architecture and terminology. In addition, an RVFA candidate understands Embedded Hardware Design, including Internet of Things (IoT), industrial, medical, and automotive applications.

RVFA certificate holders have demonstrated the ability to write, debug, optimize, and compile code in RISC-V Assembly Language, as well as the ability to use toolchains (GCC, LLVM) and understand RISC-V calling conventions.

The (RVFA) certification is intended for those interested in an entry-level RISC-V role or transitioning from another architecture.

The certification is ideal for those pursuing a career in roles such as Embedded Engineer, RTL Design Engineer, Design Verification Engineer, Software Developer (specifically Device Driver, Kernel, and Toolchain), or Documentation Engineer.

RISC-V Overview - 10%

History of RISC-V: The Free and Open ISA

RISC-V International

RISC-V Documentation

Contribute to RISC-V

RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture - 35%

RV32I and RV64I

Understand Instruction Formats: branching, accessing memory, and accessing data structures

Understand the modularity of RISC-V as an ISA: core ratified (M, C, F, D, A) and other extensions

Understand Privilege Modes, system calls, CSRs, exceptions, and interrupt handling

Understand memory model, cache management, and virtual memory management

Assembly Language for RISC-V - 25%

Understand RISC-V specific assembly language syntax and features, including CSR access

Write and debug RISC-V assembly code

Assess performance of assembly code

Convert high-level code to assembly code

High Level Languages for RISC-V: C Programming - 15%

Understand RISC-V tools including compilers, debuggers, simulators, performance tools, OSes, and SDKs

Understand calling conventions (ABIs), the stack, and disassembly

Understand inline assembly

RISC-V Operating Systems & Tools - 15%

Fundamentals of Operating Systems including implementing basic OS functionality in RISC-V ASM

Understanding basic use and functionality of firmware for RISC-V platforms

Understanding microcontrollers versus application processors

Running RISC-V Applications in a General Purpose OS

A candidate looking to begin preparations for the RVFA certification should already have familiarity with Git, High-Level Programming Languages (C), Debuggers (GDB), and System Architecture.

An RVFA candidate will have programming or design experience and may have completed computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or electrical engineering coursework.

How to register & take exam: TBC (Link to FAQ pages of the website)

Linux Foundation Global Certification & Confidentiality Agreement: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/lf-cert-agreement/

Candidate Handbook: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/go/LFCA-candidate-handbook

Important Instructions: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/important-instructions-mc

Frequently Asked Questions: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/faq-mc