Virtualization support on DB410c & DB820c

Products Support DragonBoard410c
#1

Hello All,

I am of the understanding the ARM core in 410c & 820c have virtualization extensions.
Please correct me if I am wrong here.

It would be great if someone here could help me find answers to the below questions …

  1. Do 410c & 820c implement GIC >= v2 ?
  2. Is there a SBL for these boards yet, with the Hyp mode unlocked ?
  3. Other than SBL, are there other binaries in the boot chain, that need to be unlocked for Hyp mode ?
  4. What is the role of QHEE on these boards ?

Thanks in advance,
Rajagopal

#2

820c does have a GICv3 but the bootloaders do not unlock hyp mode meaning it is not possible to run hardware virtualizers on these boards.

#3

Hello Daniel,

Thanks for clarifying on the GIC for 820c.
Any info on the other questions would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Rajagopal

#4

Sorry, there was a typo in my the second half of my comment so perhaps it was unclear.

The proprietary bootloaders probhibit virtualization on these platforms.

#5

Then I see two possible ways to perform virtualization …

  1. Get hold of source code for the bootloader and customize them
  2. Make these boards run ARM Trusted Firmware

I think 1 would require working with Qualcomm.

Any inputs on 2 would be very helpful, if ARM Trusted Firmware can be made to run on DB410c or Q820, like how it runs on HiKey960.

Thanks in advance !

#6

I’m skeptical I’m afraid. When you think about it trying to run TF-A on the board is, in effect, just restating #1 from your list but doing even more customization.