8/25/2010 Meeting Embedded Needs With Java

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Analog & Mixed HOME » CHANNELS » EMBEDDED » Boards, Modules & System s » Meeting Em bedded Needs With Java
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Power Meeting Embedded Needs With Java

The Java language and framework make robust applications easier to create, while reducing development time.
Digital
But runtime performance depends on the underlying JVM. The software approach works almost anywhere.

Communications By William Wong SHARE EMAIL PRINT

May 13, 2002 REPRINTS COMMENT SUBSCRIBE

Components
Software Java Solutions Run Everywhere
Any processor with a couple of megabits of RAM can handle Java
Test & Measurement
applications. Only a Java virtual machine (JVM) is necessary. All JVMs
are not created equal, but that's the beauty of a software approach. For
EDA more speed, check out native code operation. It's even possible to mix
and match Java bytecode and native-code application execution in the
Embedded same JVM (Fig. 1).

Development Tools Software Approach

+ Works on most hardware
Programming
Languages + One JVM can be replaced by another
+ JVM features tradeoffs versus memory requirements
Operating Systems

Frameworks
−Native code is larger than bytecode
− Usually lower performance than hardware implementations
Protocol Stacks
Key to a software approach is flexibility. A variety of alternatives are
Middleware
available for different processors, operating systems (OSs), and Premium Content
Boards, Modules & development environments. Java applications can be easily added to
Systems
existing systems using the software approach, as long as sufficient
Read White Paper: Choosing the Right
memory is available.
Bus for Your Measurement Application
Sun Microsystems has done a great job of partitioning embedded Java When you have hundreds of different data acquisition
KNOWLEDGE
with its Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME). Its JVM specifications are from the devices to choose from on a wide variety of buses, it can be
CENTER
Java Community Process (JCP), allowing other companies to create difficult to select the right bus for your application needs.
This white paper examines the most common PC bus
compatible JVMs (see "Embedded in Electronic Design, Java 2," Dec.
options available and outlines the technical considerations
Home 3, 2001, p. 70). to keep in mind when choosing the right bus for your
measurement application. Brought to you by National
Electronic Design For example, IBM's J9 is compatible with Sun's JVMs. J9 incorporates
Instruments. Read now.
Home advanced features like just-in-time (JIT) and ahead-of-time (AOT)
compilers. J9 works with IBM's Visual Age Micro Edition (VAME). More Prem ium Content
White Paper: Advantages of the PXI Platform and NI
Videos Third-party, cleanroom JVM implementations like Hewlett-Packard's Software for Sensor Measurement and Signal
(HP's) Chai appliance platform give developers a licensing alternative to Conditioning Systems
White Papers Sun. As with most JVM products, Chai includes a host of options, such
as the chaifarer XML Web browser and chaiawt graphical front end.
Webcasts Platform-specific versions exist, like ChaiVM for the HP Jornada
handheld PC.
Newsletters
Some JVM vendors concentrate on specific Java environments, instead
of addressing the full range like Sun and IBM. For example, the Jeode
Event Calendar
from Insignia Solutions targets the personal and embedded Java spaces.
Aplix JBlend refines this further, targeting the mobile device space.
E-Books

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8/25/2010 Meeting Embedded Needs With Java
All Java environments need to contend with Java-specific features, such
Engineering Hall Of as garbage collection. The software approach lets NewMonics easily add
Fame a generational, real-time garbage collector to its Perc JVM (see "Real-
Time Garbage Collection Speeds Embedded Java," p. 60).
Salary Survey A number of OS companies license or support third-party JVMs. Others
have their own JVM, like Wind River's JWorks. The advantage of this
Special Issues approach is tighter integration with the underlying OS and development
tools. Editors' Picks
Current Issue
Esmertec's Jbed real-time operating system (RTOS) eliminates the need Operating Environments Emerge As Mobile Devices
for a third-party RTOS. It provides a pure-Java environment that's Multiply
Electronic Design
Europe comparable to hardware implementations, with the flexibility of using a Simple Light Sensor Circuit Features High Dynamic
supported conventional processor like the ARM, PowerPC, or Coldfire. Range
Thin Speaker Technology Gets Ready To Revolutionize
Trade Show Hiding Java Audio Markets
Coverage Sometimes embedded Java can be so hidden, developers must dig for it.
Transvirtual's XOE is a platform for XML-based development. It's built on
Resources Transvirtual's PocketLinux and JVM's Kaffe, which are almost hidden by
XOE from a JVM standpoint. Espial has a range of Java platforms, like
its device-top environment targeted at smart Internet devices. It adds
FOLLOW US value by providing a variety of applications and environments, like the
Espresso GUI toolkit and the Escape browser.

Regardless of the JVM selected, running Java applications via software

can keep costs down compared to additional Java hardware. JIT and
AOT code performance might be enough to banish specialized hardware
from a project.

Java Hardware Delivers Speed Transparent To Apps

Throwing hardware at a problem is a great idea when it comes to getting
the best out of Java. Whether it's a hardware accelerator, coprocessor,
or standalone Java processor, Java hardware provides high performance
while retaining the compact Java bytecode format.
Hardware Approach
+ High performance
+ Runs Java bytecodes directly Featured Industry Resources
+ Transparent Java execution

− Hardware specific
− May have instruction or environment limitations
Part Inventory − Some JVM functionality may still be in software
GO
Java hardware can deliver better performance than even JIT or AOT
native-code execution by providing Java-specific support. This includes
pow ered by:
range checking and method invocation that may require multiple native-
Part Finder code instructions.
GO The major hurdle is choosing a hardware solution that works with the
system being designed. A system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution built around
pow ered by: a standard processor requires a compatible Java core design. Often
there's only one or two alternatives, versus many for a software solution.
QUICK POLL Off-the-shelf solutions also exist for both Java-only and Java
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acceleration.
What is your favorite
source of technical Nazomi Communications' JA108 is a unique solution for adding Java
news? acceleration. It can be tacked on to existing systems where memory
Technical magazine can be added because memory can be incorporated into the JA108 (Fig.
site 2). The standard chip sits between the processor and memory.
Most Emailed Most Popular Most Commented
Business magazine Essentially, it's transparent until Java code needs to be executed.
site
Java code is placed in a memory range. The switch from native-code Andy Grove Has A Tesla And Toyota Ink
Company web site Deal For Electric RAV4
execution to Java bytecode execution is transparent to the native Few Thousand July 23, 2010, 02:49 PM
Social networking site processor. It's a very elegant and inexpensive solution for only $5.59. Words About Digital Communications:
Aggregator web site The JA108 is based on Nazomi's JStar technology, which can be added American Jobs The ABCs Of Ones And
Other to almost any processor core. July 15, 2010, 09:33 AM Zeroes
August 16, 2010, 09:56 AM
Electronic Design
VOTE VIEW RESULTS Ajile Systems' Aj-100 and Aj-80 processors provide a pure-Java Making Energy
contributing editor Ron
execution environment. These Java processors are based on Ajile's Schneiderman comments Harvesting’s Promise of
Previous Polls
JEMcore, which can be used with SoC designs. on Bloomberg Free Energy a Reality
Businessweek's story August 05, 2010, 11:06 AM
Parallax's Javelin puts an interesting twist on a microcontroller that runs about former Intel CEO
FEATURED
a limited version of Java. With no garbage collection or other fancy Java Andy Grove's thoughts on
INDUSTRY
RESOURCES features, Javelin is still great for controller applications where low cost American jobs.
eliminates higher-end solutions. The Javelin has the same pinout as the

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8/25/2010 Meeting Embedded Needs With Java
Get the most up-to-date Parallax Basic Stamp and supports limited multitasking through virtual
information on leading peripherals like serial port support.
products, trends and
services from companies Java Cores
within the Electronics Standalone solutions rarely fit when existing applications or hardware
Industry must be used. But Java is so important that many add-on solutions are
available. For example, ARM's Jazelle is a standard add-on to the ARM
Learn More
processor line, which translates Java bytecodes into native instructions.
It's similar in operation to Nazomi's JStar.

InSilicon's JVXtreme takes the coprocessor route. It has all of the

advantages of a dedicated Java processor, and it coexists with the host
processor by sharing the memory bus. It requires minimal integration
with the existing processor.

The remaining hardware solutions can operate as standalone Java

processors designed to execute Java bytecodes directly. These include
Ajile's JEMcore, Aurora VLSI's Espresso, Digital Communications
Technology's Lightfoot, Vulcan Machines' Moon1 core, and Zucotto
Wireless' XPRESSO core. Both Aurora VLSI's Espresso and Vulcan
Machines' Moon1 core can also be implemented as a Java coprocessor
supporting standard processors like ARM or MIPS.

Keep in mind too that using a hardware solution could be good for other
reasons, including power reduction. Software solutions may have to run
the host processor faster and hotter to deliver the desired performance.
In the end, hardware may win out.

Need M ore
Information?
Ajile System s InSilicon Corp.
(408) 557-0829 (408) 894-1900
w w w .ajile.com w w w .insilicon.com

Aplix Corp. Nazom i Com m unications

(415) 558-8800 (408) 654-8988
w w w .aplix.com w w w .nazomi.com

ARM New Monics Inc.

(760) 918-5540 (630) 577-1590
w w w .arm.com w w w .new monics.com

Aurora VLSI Parallax Inc.

(408) 565-9650 (888) 512-1024
http://vodka.auroravlsi.com w w w .parallax.com

Digital Com m unications Sun Microsystem s

Technology (650) 960-1300
(510) 438-6861 java.sun.com
w w w .dctl.com
Transvirtual
Esm ertec (415) 243-4055
(408) 351-3420 w w w .transvirtual.com
w w w .esmertec.com
Vulcan Machines Ltd.
Espial +44 (0) 1763 247624
(613) 230-4770 w w w .vulcanmachines.com
w w w .espial.com
Wind River
Hew lett-Packard (510) 749-2872
(800) 752-0900 w w w .w indriver.com
w w w .hp.com
Zucotto Wireless
IBM (858) 777-1300
(800) IBM-4YOU w w w .zucotto.com
w w w .ibm.com

Insignia Solutions
(510) 360-3700
w w w .insignia.com

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