The UEFI Forum Releases Updated Platform Initialization (PI) Specification

Enhances Interoperability and Shortens Development Time by Allowing Code Reuse

Beaverton, Ore.—October 19, 2016—Today, the UEFI Forum announced the availability of the Platform Initialization (PI) Specification v1.5, which transforms the System Management Mode (SMM) drivers to allow developers to seamlessly reuse code from an AMD, Intel, or Via IA32/x64 platform on an ARM®-based platform. The PI Specification’s fundamental goal is to continue to improve interoperability between firmware components from different sources.
 
The updated PI Specification can be downloaded here - www.uefi.org/specifications.
 
The System Management Mode (SMM) Core Interface from volume 4 of PI v1.4, now called Management Mode (MM) Core Interface in v1.5, addresses market demand for a common software model between ARM TrustZone® technology and the IA32/x64 System Management Mode. This change not only permits the reuse of code, but allows for launching MM earlier in the boot process and provides richer multi-processors capabilities.
 
"The enhanced functionality in the PI Specification v1.5 improves performance in the enterprise, unlocking the value of ARM-based server solutions,” said Mark Doran, UEFI President and Fellow at Intel Corporation.

About UEFI Forum
Through a collaborative approach with world-class companies, institutions and experts, the UEFI Forum advances innovation in firmware technology standards. These extensible, globally-adopted UEFI specifications bring new functionality and enhanced security to the evolution of devices, firmware and operating systems. The Forum also collaborates with other standards groups that are essential to computing. For more information about the UEFI Forum and current specifications go to www.uefi.org.
 
###