Linux for ADSP-SC5xx Processors

Welcome to the official Linux documentation for Analog Devices ADSP-SC5xx processors.

ADSP-SC5xx System-on-Chips (SoCs) combine ARM Cortex-A55/A5 application processors with SHARC+ DSP cores, delivering a unique heterogeneous computing platform. These processors excel at real-time audio processing, industrial control, and automotive applications by seamlessly blending Linux’s rich ecosystem on the ARM core with deterministic, high-performance signal processing on the SHARC+ DSPs. The architecture enables developers to partition their applications optimally - running high-level application code, networking, and user interfaces on Linux while offloading compute-intensive, real-time algorithms to the dedicated DSPs.

Platform Highlights

Audio Excellence - SHARC-ALSA framework, USB Audio Gadget, world-class DSP processing capabilities
Performance - Hardware-accelerated operations, optimised drivers, benchmark-proven throughput
Security - Secure boot support, cryptographic acceleration, trusted execution environment
Development Tools - Yocto-based build system, comprehensive examples, extensive debugging support
Connectivity - Ethernet, USB, SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, and more industry-standard interfaces
Real-time Processing - Dedicated SHARC+ DSPs for deterministic, low-latency processing

Note

📌 Latest Release: Linux for ADSP-SC5xx 5.0.1 - Release Landing Page

Development Boards

Board	Processor Features	Quick Start Guide
SC598-SOM	Cortex-A55 + Dual SHARC+ @ 1GHz	Getting Started →
SC594-SOM	Cortex-A5 + Single SHARC+ @ 1GHz	Getting Started →
SC589-MINI	Cortex-A5 + Dual SHARC+ @ 500MHz	Getting Started →
SC573-EZ-KIT	Cortex-A5 + Single SHARC+ @ 500MHz	Getting Started →

Quick Start

Getting Started in 4 Steps

Setup your host PC - Install tools and configure environment
Choose your board - Select from the processor guides above (SC598, SC594, SC589, or SC573)
Build and customize - Use Yocto to create your custom image and develop applications
Run examples - Try SHARC-ALSA, USB Audio, and more

Key Topics: Boot Process | RPMsg | Memory Configuration | Secure Boot

Latest Release

Version 5.0.1 - Current Stable

Linux 6.12.38 (LTS) | Yocto Scarthgap | Enhanced RPMsg | Secure Boot | New Audio Examples

Full Release Notes | Older Releases

Quick Links

Essential Documentation

Setup: Setting Up Your Host PC | Boot Sequence
Development: Development Guide | Kernel Development | RPMsg Communication
Examples: SHARC-ALSA Audio | USB Audio Gadget
Support: FAQ | Forum | Issues

Resources

Source Code: lnxdsp-adi-meta | linux-adi | u-boot-adi

Support: Hardware Docs | EngineerZone | Technical Support

Documentation

Tip

🔍 Quick Search: Press Ctrl+K to search documentation | For generic Linux kernel info, visit docs.kernel.org