Vulcan Machines enables new applications with second-generation moon processor for Java-based Technology

...High-performance Java applications now a reality for set-top boxes and mobile phones...

22 April, 2002: VULCAN machines, a Cambridge-based microprocessor company, today announced the availability of its second-generation processor for Java-based technology, Moon2 (1). The unique combination of high performance Java, small size and ease of integration in the Moon2 design breaks through the price-performance ceiling that has until now limited the performance of Java in mobile and embedded computing applications (2).

At present systems that run Java have to rely upon a software program known as a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), sometimes supplemented with a bytecode accelerator (BCA), to translate bytecodes to Java native code. Such translation technologies are inherently inefficient consuming significant amounts of host bandwidth, power and memory, which limits the user experience and/or drives up total system cost. Moon2 executes Java bytecodes directly in parallel with the host processor and at the same time replaces the software JVM. This hardware-based approach not only breaks through the performance logjam, but actually reduces system cost.

"There is no doubting the explosive growth potential of embedded Java in mobile and set-top-box applications, but Moon2 is unique in its ability to satisfy the performance criteria that are fundamental to releasing that potential. By efficiently harnessing the ubiquity and power of Java, Moon2 will allow new applications to be developed for the embedded world," says Richard Ord, CEO, VULCAN machines.

"Ultimately this innovation will translate into new products and services for individuals, will create new revenue streams for application developers, network operators and service providers alike. It is the potential to unlock these markets that is now drawing new investors to the company" Ord added.

Set-top box manufacturer Access Devices is already working on Moon2-based digital TV systems. "Like other companies in our market, we have been wrestling with the problem of putting Java-based MHP into STB/DTV systems without exploding the Bill-of-Materials," says Tony Walton, Director, Access Devices. "Our latest architecture, employing Moon2, solves this problem by embedding the processor in our System-on-Chip (SoC) solution, and allows compelling MHP performance at very low system cost."

"Moon2 will satisfy the appetite for high performance consumer applications, and free them from the desktop to roam on mobile phones and invigorate set-top boxes," says Mark Goodson, Sales & Marketing Director, VULCAN machines. "With Moon2, the industry can now deliver on the promise of Java to 'write once, run anywhere'."

Unlike other architectures, Moon2 was designed at the outset to be deployed both as the master processor in a pure Java-based system, and as a coprocessor, running in parallel to a RISC core to accelerate the Java content in a mixed code environment.

Moon2 is available now as an IP solution for integration in SoC solutions for chip manufacturers and OEMs.

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Editor's Notes

(1) VULCAN machines has applied for a number of patents relating to its Moon technology

(2) "Java" is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

About VULCAN machines

VULCAN machines' Moon processor is the leading solution for high-performance, low power, deeply embedded Java-based applications such as wireless communications, pervasive computing, mobile Internet, handheld devices and STB. VULCAN machines Ltd is a privately held company based in Royston, England. For more information please visit www.vulcanmachines.com.

For more information please contact:

Jonathan Batty
Tel: 01753 44 88 51
Email: jbatty@uk.brodeur.com

or

Lena Ahmed
Tel: 01753 44 88 61
Email: lahmed@uk.brodeur.com