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Go-faster Java: invented by ARM? or by Nazomi?

There are dozens of ways of speeding up Java; ARM has one. Now, Nazomi says it has the patent on that ...

ARM says it will "vigorously defend itself against claims of patent infringement" made by Nazomi Communications Inc. Nazomi says it has a patent which is "a hardware Java accelerator, provided to implement portions of the Java Virtual machine in hardware in order to accelerate the operation of the system on Java bytecodes."

Nazomi's Java hardware accelerator "referably includes Java bytecode translation into native CPU instructions. The combination of the Java hardware accelerator and a CPU provides an embedded solution" it says.

ARM says they know about Nazomi's patent, and called the suit "frivolous."

"ARM performs extensive patent research during the development of its products," said Mike Muller, ARM's CTO. "Having reviewed our technology, it is obvious that we don't infringe the Nazomi patents."

Observers said they sympathise with Nazomi in one sense; if they can't stop ARM, somehow, they look doomed. "They have a strap-on processor which you nail to the side of whatever other processor you happen to be using - or else you have to build new silicon adding their synthesizeable core to yours. ARM blows a hole in the side of their boat by putting Java into the processor which they'd rather buy."

Java is the standard embedded platform for mobile devices, which require low-power processors (the ARM is the best-seller in that market) and adding the Nazomi core to any other processor is not likely to enhance its chances of competing. It would add to the power consumption of the rival chip, which is unlikely to match the ARM power consumption anyway.

"Basically, Nazomi has to sue, or sink," said one developer. "It looks like a desparate move."

Further information from Nazomi's publicity department, or full details from their press release; or get the other side of the picture from ARM itself.