Fujitsu samples picoJava clone

Fujitsu has begun sampling its picoJava-based MB86799 processor and unveiled both a real-time OS and development environment for the chip. The MB86799 is based on Sun's open source (sort of) picoJava 2 CPU, designed to run Java code directly. Sun's 'public source' licence says anyone can use the core - they only pay a licensing royalty if the final product is sold commercially. Fujitsu's version runs at 40MHz and 66MHz, eating up 90mW at 1.7V and 260mW at 2.5V, respectively. The company is pushing the chip at the PDA and cellphone markets. The chip will ship in volume by the end of the year, said Fujitsu. In the meantime, it will be made available as part of the company's J-StarterKit package, due to ship on 1 June. The kit provides chip, ancillary chips, memory, 3 PCI slots, 10/100 Ethernet and other standard PC interface ports. It also contains Fujitsu's J-RealOS/PJ real-time OS (JTRON) and middleware (Java run-time environment, graphics library, device drivers) combo. The company said the kit will cost Y384,000 ($3603). ®