Performance Optimization of Embedded Java Applications by a C / Java-hybrid Architecture

We present a software architecture for Java VMs and APIs that significantly increases the execution performance of Java applications on devic es with considerable storage limitations. While presen t embedded Java devices usually implement standard API functions entirely in Java, we propose a shift of paradigm. By using a native programming language like C to implement the whole system library and by using a high-level C-to-Java interface, we obtain embedded Java applications running almost at the speed of fully native applications. Moreover, a dra stic reduction of memory can be achieved. Thus, Java run s efficiently on low-cost devices with a memory size of less than 2 MB. Besides, our technique requires no changes of Java user applications.