| TimeSys boasts first RTSJ-compliant JVM for embedded systems |
Mar. 17, 2003
(PR excerpt) -- TimeSys Corp. announced today that the latest version of its JTime real-time Java Virtual Machine (JVM) software development kit (SDK) is the first embedded Java development environment to fully comply with the Real-Time Specification for Java ("RTSJ" -- see further discussion, below).
TimeSys says JTime, which is offered as part of a TimeSys SDK that includes TimeSys TimeStorm (a Java/C/C++ integrated development environment), TimeSys Linux/Real-Time (a Linux-based RTOS runtime environment), and an Ahead-of-Time compiler, is a Sun Microsystems-certified JVM which targets the performance and real-time requirements of embedded systems.
JTime provides "completely predictable, real-time operation," and is already being used by Boeing, MKS Instruments, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and Siemens AG, the company added.
Chris Lanfear, embedded software market analyst at Venture Development Corporation (VDC), believes the new TimeSys JTime SDKs will help accelerate the adoption of Java for embedded systems by providing an RTSJ-compliant JVM along with a packaged embedded Linux development environment. "The adoption of Java technology in the traditional embedded market has been limited by two primary factors: the inability to predictably control the correct execution of applications; and the lack of professional tools for embedded Java development," Lanfear said.
Real-time performance benchmarks
According to TimeSys, an independent third-party has completed extensive testing of JTime's real-time capabilities, including assessment of the performance and determinism of systems using JTime in comparison to a C++ implementation on the same hardware.
The benchmarks not only exceeded the research team's expectations in terms of compile times for development, but also execution testing for throughput, determinism, latency, memory use, duration of operation, and scalability, the company said.
Benefits for embedded systems
"TimeSys' delivery of the first RTSJ-compliant JVM and libraries will enable the embedded systems industry to begin embracing Java for its many benefits of developer productivity and code reusability and to gain the advanced real-time scheduling and programming features of the RTSJ; all with the performance, predictability, and stability of their current applications," said Dr. Greg Bollella, a Distinguished Engineer at Sun Microsystems Laboratories and Lead Designer of the Real-Time Specification for Java. "This is, indeed, a critical and important step in the adoption of the Real-Time Java Platform for embedded and real-time systems development."
"JTime brings Java programming full-circle back to the embedded industry with a reliable and stable real-time JVM," observed TimeSys CEO Larry Weidman. "Embedded developers with apprehensions about Java's performance and predictability capabilities can now experience all the benefits of Java programming for embedded applications and have confidence that their applications will meet their performance requirements across multiple platforms under heavy loads."
"Our early access customers are using JTime on top of our Linux RTOS to develop applications for which Java would never have been considered because the performance and reliability just wasn't there," added Weidman. "These customers are, for the first time, able to benefit from the use of Java in large scale, mission-critical, distributed applications in power plant control, industrial automation, and military avionics."
Support for other Linux distributions
Although JTime is tightly integrated with TimeSys Linux/Real-Time, it also works with other Linux distributions such as Red Hat 7.2 and MontaVista Linux, the company said. Additionally, future versions of JTime are planned to work with other embedded Linux distributions.
However, TimeSys pointed out that although the use of JTime with Linux distributions other than TimeSys Linux/Real-Time (including TimeSys Linux GPL) will add significant benefits to embedded Java applications, such combinations may not be fully RTSJ-compliant due to the RTSJ requirement that the JVM be used in conjunction with a "full-featured" real-time operating system (RTOS).
About the RTSJ
Standard Java is considered too unpredictable to meet the timing and behavior requirements of most embedded systems because of its unbounded garbage collection, inability to handle sporadic events and periodic tasks, lack of built-in priority inversion avoidance, and imprecise thread control.
To extend the capability of Java technology to support the predictable behavior required by advanced embedded systems, an expert group was formed under the Java Community Process (JCP) to fulfill Java Standards Request 1 (JSR-000001) and develop the Real-Time Specification for Java. TimeSys played an important role in the development of the RTSJ, represented on the expert group by three of TimeSys' senior engineers. TimeSys also developed and hosts both the Reference Implementation (RI) and Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK). Continuing that leadership role, TimeSys' JTime Java Virtual Machine is the first Sun-certified JVM that meets all of the requirements of the Real-Time Specification for Java (RTSJ), providing an ideal Java platform for developing predictable, reliable and scalable embedded systems.
The RTSJ calls for additions to the Java platform to support the predictability and reliability requirements of advanced embedded and real-time systems, including industrial automation and process control systems, avionics and aerospace applications, military command, control and communications (C3) systems, and other mission-critical applications in which a missed deadline can lead to severe or catastrophic failure, causing significant loss and even death.
The RTSJ requires the use of no-heap real-time threads to run above the garbage collector, the addition of support for periodic events and timers, asynchronous interrupt exceptions, asynchronous events, and sporadic scheduling, and deadline miss detection. These features allow real-time and embedded systems developers to have more control over the scheduling, priority, timing and execution of processes and tasks within their systems; thereby enabling them to develop predictable, reliable and stable systems in Java.
TimeSys played an active role in the development of the RTSJ, and was represented on the RTSJ Expert Group by TimeSys vice president of technology, Dr. Doug Locke, TimeSys distinguished engineer, Dr. Peter Dibble, and Carnegie Mellon University professor and TimeSys cofounder, Dr. Raj Rajkumar.
TimeSys also developed the official Reference Implementation (RI) of the RTSJ, which has been downloaded from the TimeSys Web site more than 2,000 times since its posting in November 2001. TimeSys also developed and hosts the Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) for use in testing implementations of the RTSJ. Dr. Doug Locke is currently the Maintenance Lead for the RTSJ.
Availability
TimeSys' JTime and JTime SDKs will begin shipping later this month. The first platforms to be supported are Pentium and Pentium-class processors. TimeSys will begin delivering JTime for PowerPC-based platforms in April; other processor architectures, including MIPS, SH, ARM and XScale, will follow.
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed