# Develop and Validate Firmware Pre-Silicon on Arm Neoverse CSS V3

## In this learning path

- [Introduction](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/)
- [Learn about the Arm RD-V3 Platform](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/1_introduction_rdv3/)
- [Understand the CSS-V3 boot flow and firmware stack](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/2_rdv3_bootseq/)
- [Build the RD-V3 Reference Platform Software Stack](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/3_rdv3_sw_build/)
- [Simulate RD-V3 Boot Flow on Arm FVP](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/4_rdv3_on_fvp/)
- [Simulate Dual Chip RD-V3-R1 Platform](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/5_rdv3_modify/)
- [Next Steps](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/_next-steps/)

## About this Learning Path

| Skill level:  | Advanced       |
|---------------|----------------|
| Reading time: | 1 hr 30 min    |
| Last updated: | 31 Jul 2026    |

### Authors:
- Odin Shen, Arm [[GitHub](https://github.com/odincodeshen)] [[LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/odin-shen-lmshen)]
- Ann Cheng, Arm [[GitHub](https://github.com/anncheng-arm)] [[LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/hello-ann)]

### Arm IP:
[Neoverse](https://support.arm.com/?tab=compute-ip&Product%20Type=Infrastructure%20Processors)

### Tags:
- [Containers and Virtualization](https://learn.arm.com/tag/containers-and-virtualization)
- [AWS](https://learn.arm.com/tag/aws)
- [Microsoft Azure](https://learn.arm.com/tag/microsoft-azure)
- [Google Cloud](https://learn.arm.com/tag/google-cloud)
- [Oracle](https://learn.arm.com/tag/oracle)
- [Linux](https://learn.arm.com/tag/linux)
- [C](https://learn.arm.com/tag/c)
- [Docker](https://learn.arm.com/tag/docker)
- [FVP](https://learn.arm.com/tag/fvp)

### Who is this for?
This advanced topic is for firmware developers, system architects, and silicon validation engineers working on Arm Neoverse CSS platforms who require a pre-silicon workflow for the CSS-V3 reference design using Fixed Virtual Platforms (FVPs).

### What will you learn?
Upon completion of this Learning Path, you will be able to:
- Explain the CSS-V3 architecture and the RD-V3 firmware boot sequence (TF-A, RSE, SCP/MCP/LCP, UEFI/GRUB, Linux)
- Set up a containerized build environment and sync sources with a pinned manifest using repo
- Build and boot the RD-V3 firmware stack on FVP and map UART consoles to components
- Interpret boot logs to verify bring-up and diagnose boot-stage issues
- Modify platform control firmware (for example, SCP/MCP) and validate changes via pre-silicon simulation
- Launch a dual-chip RD-V3-R1 simulation and verify AP/MCP coordination

### Prerequisites
Before starting, you will need the following:
- Access to an Arm Neoverse-based Linux machine (cloud or local) with at least 80 GB of free storage
- Familiarity with Linux command-line tools and basic scripting
- Understanding of firmware boot stages and SoC-level architecture
- Docker installed, or a GitHub Codespaces-compatible development environment

## [Introduction](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/)
## [Learn about the Arm RD-V3 Platform](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/1_introduction_rdv3/)
## [Understand the CSS-V3 boot flow and firmware stack](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/2_rdv3_bootseq/)
## [Build the RD-V3 Reference Platform Software Stack](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/3_rdv3_sw_build/)
## [Simulate RD-V3 Boot Flow on Arm FVP](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/4_rdv3_on_fvp/)
## [Simulate Dual Chip RD-V3-R1 Platform](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/5_rdv3_modify/)
## [Next Steps](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/neoverse-rdv3-swstack/_next-steps/)