Toshiba has licensed a new Jazelle-enabled ARM9 core for its microprocessor business from ARM; could PDAs with Java acceleration be what's coming next from the e570 maker?
In a new deal with UK based ARM, Toshiba has licensed the ARM926EJ-S Jazelle-enabled core, a move which has spurred some speculation as to whether Toshiba is planning to introduce new PDAs built around a processor using this core - and interest is particularly high among those who favour Pocket PCs, since Toshiba recently made a successful entry into the handheld arena with its new Toshiba Pocket PC e570 model running Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 platform.
 | Toshiba's now-hot Pocket PC e570 will eventually be replaced - perhaps its successor will be using the ARM926EJ-S core
|
The newly licensed core opens the door for Toshiba to create a processor of its own to build new devices around - regardless of platform, and sporting Java acceleration through the Jazelle properties of the core. However, even though Toshiba already has a Pocket PC product, it is uncertain whether a new Pocket PC product will follow based on this core since Microsoft is enforcing strict requirements on what processors can be used in Pocket PC 2002 devices to ensure absolute application interoperability.
Should Toshiba on the other hand be allowed to license the Pocket PC 2002 operating system for a device using a processor based on the new core, the device would be capable of running Java applications with speeds of up to 8 times faster than competing products currently on the market.
Toshiba originally became an ARM licensee in 1999 with the ARM7TDMI and ARM946E-S cores, which the company has used to reinforce its embedded microprocessor business. The newly licensed ARM926EJ-S core contains ARM Jazelle technology that accelerates Java execution by up to eight times compared to a fully software-based JVM, and can run diverse platform operating systems, such as Linux, Palm OS, Windows CE and the Symbian OS, as well as be used in mobile phones or for other applications.
"Mobile products are evolving to embrace such functions as image transmission, that requires de facto standard Java technology-based middleware. This license will allow us to easily offer a Java technology-based SoC solution to our customers," said Shigeru Komatsu, general manager of the Telecom and Network Division at Toshiba's Semiconductor Company.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Archive