OSS + ELC EU 2026

Traditionally, Linux has been fully responsible for and in full control of all hardware components in an embedded system, as described by its Device Tree (DT). With the advent of heterogeneous System-on-Chips (SoCs) with multiple CPU cores (Application and Real-Time) and security technologies (Secure Boot, Trusted Environments, Virtualization), this is no longer the case. To avoid compromising system integrity, Linux must now be prevented from controlling system resources used by other CPU cores, and cannot be tasked with control of shared system resources, while Linux still needs to access these resources.

The Arm System Control and Management Interface (SCMI) is intended to solve this, by providing a firmware interface to handle access to system resources like clocks and power domains.

In this presentation, targeting Embedded Linux Developers and System Architects, Geert will give an overview of SCMI, and its impact on DT hardware description. He will discuss the challenges of supporting multiple evolving firmware versions and lineages, and possible solutions, based on experience gained while upstreaming Linux support for R-Car X5H, Renesas' fifth-generation automotive SoC.