Flits: Pervasive Computing for Processor and Memory Constrained Systems

Published

January 1, 2000

Author(s)

William J. Majurski, Alden A. Dima, Mary T. Laamanen

Abstract

Many pervasive computing software technologies are targeted for 32-bit desktop platforms. However, there are innumerable 8, 16, and 32-bit microcontroller and microprocessor-based embedded systems that do not support the resource requirements of these technologies. We describe ongoing research whose goal is to explore the feasibility of creating a portable runtime-environment capable of executing across a wide variety of 8, 16, and 32-bit processors and offering mobile code and high level language support. Our solution adapts a version of the language Forth called FCode and its environment to fit these needs. We go on to define the concept of a flit -- a software construct similar to an applet but tailored to the needs of lower resource solutions to pervasive computing. We then describe our laboratory prototype and some early performance measurements.

Proceedings Title

International Workshop on Pervasive Computing in Conjunction with the 29th International Conference on Parallel Processing

Conference Dates

August 21-24, 2000

Conference Location

Toronto, CA

Conference Title

International Workshop on Pervasive Computing

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

fCode, Forth, memory constrained systems, mobile code, pervasive computing

Citation

Majurski, W. , Dima, A. and Laamanen, M. (2000), Flits: Pervasive Computing for Processor and Memory Constrained Systems, International Workshop on Pervasive Computing in Conjunction with the 29th International Conference on Parallel Processing, Toronto, CA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=151681 (Accessed October 14, 2025)