Java Stack Machine Interrupt Handling via Unified Context
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Solution Overview
Problem
Java processors face performance issues due to the use of native code for handling interrupts, which is not as dense, stable, or secure as Java code, especially in low-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A Java Stack Machine (JSM) processor that executes Java bytecodes and handles interrupts using a combination of Java-based code and a complementary instruction set architecture (C-ISA), allowing interrupt handling within the same context without context switching or relying on an operating system scheduler, using a micro-sequence handler and Java method portion executed on the same stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If native code is used to handle interrupts, then interrupt handling can be performed, but the code density, stability, security, and power efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of code representation from native machine code to Java bytecode. By executing interrupts as Java bytecode instructions on the Java stack machine, the system maintains the density, stability, and security characteristics of Java code while enabling interrupt handling functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing interrupt handling to occur in the Java code environment rather than switching to native code.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the Java stack machine universally capable of handling both normal Java program execution and interrupt handling using the same Java bytecode instruction set. The same Java virtual machine infrastructure that executes application code also executes interrupt service routines, eliminating the need for separate native code paths and enabling a single unified execution environment for all code including interrupt handlers.
2Reliability
If context switching is performed for interrupt handling, then interrupt processing can occur, but execution latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the interrupt handling context with the original Java thread context by executing both on the same Java stack. Instead of performing context switches between different execution environments (native code vs. Java code), the system combines interrupt service routine execution with the existing Java virtual machine context, allowing seamless transition and reducing latency while maintaining correctness through the stack-based execution model.
3Productivity
If Java code is executed directly for interrupts, then code density and security are improved, but the ability to handle complex interrupt scenarios may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interrupt handling process into distinct Java bytecode instructions that operate on the Java stack. By breaking down complex interrupt handling tasks into sequential Java bytecode operations (pushing parameters, calling methods, manipulating stack frames), the system maintains Java code density and security while achieving the versatility needed for complex interrupt scenarios through composability of these segmented operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for performing a Java interrupt. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising executing a thread having a context on a stack based on a first program counter, detecting an interrupt while executing the thread (wherein execution of the thread is temporarily suspended), and executing a method portion to handle the interrupt (wherein the method portion is executed on the stack based on the first program counter, and wherein the context during execution of the method portion is the same as during execution of the thread).