34/2008 : A Java Processor Architecture for Embedded Real-Time Systems

RR Number

34/2008

Conference

Journal of Systems Architecture

Author(s)

Martin Schoeberl

Abstract

Architectural advancements in modern processor designs increase average performance with features such as pipelines, caches, branch prediction, and out-of-order execution. However, these features complicate worst-case execution time analysis and lead to very conservative estimates. JOP (Java Optimized Processor) tackles this problem from the architectural perspective -- by introducing a processor architecture in which simpler and more accurate WCET analysis is more important than average case performance. This paper presents a Java processor designed for time-predictable execution of real-time tasks. JOP is the implementation of the Java virtual machine in hardware. JOP is intended for applications in embedded real-time systems and the primary implementation technology is in a field programmable gate array. This paper demonstrates that a hardware implementation of the Java virtual machine results in a small design for resource-constrained devices.

Bibtex

@ARTICLE{jop:jnl:jsa2007,
  author = {Martin Schoeberl},
  title = {A {Java} Processor Architecture for Embedded Real-Time Systems},
  journal = {Journal of Systems Architecture},
  year = {2008},
  volume = {54/1--2},
  pages = {265--286},
  doi = {10.1016/j.sysarc.2007.06.001},
  url = {http://www.jopdesign.com/doc/rtarch.pdf}
}

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