ARM Expands Java Technology Support With New Jazelle Solutions

CAMBRIDGE, UK – Apr. 10, 2001 - ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, today announced it has expanded its Java™ technology support with the introduction of a range of Jazelle™ technology-enabled solutions. These solutions range from the new ARM926EJ-S™ soft macrocell and the ARM7EJ™ cores, to the Jazelle Technology Enabling Kit™ (JTEK), a software product that enables VM vendors and OS providers to exploit the Java acceleration provided by the ARM Jazelle technology.

"Java technology is a key open solution for Internet-enabled applications such as set-top boxes and wireless communications products, where the ARM® architecture has experienced considerable success," said David Cormie, product marketing manager, ARM. "We are dedicated to providing complete embedded microprocessor solutions based on industry standards. The Jazelle technology supports this commitment, providing a complete solution from core IP to development tools and systems, and will help drive momentum of Java technology development throughout the industry."

"Java technology has had tremendous success in wireless telephony, digital television and other kinds of consumer electronics and embedded systems. Its key benefit of enabling dynamic and compelling content in a cross-platform compatible and secure manner will be enhanced by the Jazelle technology," said Bob Tennant, group marketing manager, Sun Microsystems. "The ARM Jazelle Java technology-based compatible products provide developers with another choice for building robust, embedded solutions for consumers."

The ARM Jazelle technology delivers an unparalleled combination of Java technology performance and the world's leading 32-bit embedded RISC architecture, giving platform developers the freedom to run Java technology-based applications alongside established OS, middleware and application code on a single processor. This single-processor solution offers higher performance, lower system cost and lower power than coprocessors and dual-processor Java technology-based solutions.

The Jazelle technology accelerates Java performance by utilizing the ARM core to execute more than 95 percent of executed byte codes directly. The remaining, less frequently used byte codes are executed via software emulation within an ARM core-optimized Java Virtual Machine (JVM™) designed to work exclusively with the Jazelle hardware.

ARM Core IP
The ARM926EJ-S soft macrocell is a fully synthesizable, high performance 32-bit RISC processor comprising a Jazelle technology-enhanced processor core, instruction and data caches, tightly coupled memory (TCM) interfaces, memory management unit (MMU), and separate instruction and data AMBA™ bus-based AHB (Advanced High-performance Bus) interfaces.

The size of the instruction and data cache, and instruction and data TCMs can all be independently selected, providing complete flexibility and enabling the ARM926EJ-S solution to be tailored exactly to specific application needs. The MMU supports virtual memory-based platform operating systems such as Linux, Symbian, WindowsCE and PalmOS.

The ARM7EJ solution is a compact CPU specifically designed for applications demanding low power consumption. It has a memory interface identical to that of the ARM7TDMI-S® core and features the V5TEJ architecture instruction including DSP extensions.

The ARM926EJ-S and the ARM7EJ microprocessor solutions will be licensed as IP cores for implementation within application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or application specific standard product (ASSP) designs. Pricing is established by ARM semiconductor licensees and is based on customer-specific system-level design requirements.

Development Support
The ARM Jazelle Technology Enabling Kit software comprises all necessary source code and a porting guide to assist integration with the VM and OS. The JTEK is available for the Java KVM and CVM virtual machine technologies and can be ported to all popular operating systems, including Linux, PalmOS, ITRON, Symbian and WindowsCE.

A Jazelle Technology Pack will also be available as an add-on to the ARM Developer Suite™ (ADS) which enables Java technology debugging over the ARM standard debug interface using the Java Debug Wire Protocol (JDWP). This approach allows developers to use the Java technology development tools of choice to create and debug their application.

The Jazelle Technology Pack enables the essential connectivity to the ARM Jazelle technology target hardware via the ARM Multi-ICE® unit. This enables the system software and Jazelle application to be debugged using a single debug connection. In addition, the ARMulator™ unit has been enhanced to support the Jazelle technology architecture.

For more information on the ARM Jazelle technology-enabled solutions including the JTEK software and Jazelle Technology Pack, visit our website at www.arm.com/armtech/jazelle/ or email info@arm.com.

About ARM
ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-on-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com. 

Sun, Sun Microsystems, Java and JVM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems in the United States and other countries

ARM, ARM7TDMI and Multi-ICE are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM7EJ-S, ARM926EJ-S, Jazelle, Jazelle Technology Enabling Kit, AMBA and ARMulator are trademarks of ARM. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan.