Mote runner: A multi-language virtual machine for small embedded devices

Abstract

This paper introduces a new virtual machine for sensor networks and small embedded devices which has been designed with efficient resource usage and an event-driven programming model in mind. The virtual machine runs on 8, 16, and 32-bit micro-controllers with as little as 4KB of volatile and 32 KB of non-volatile memory. Our virtual machine is not bound to a single high-level programming language, but targets all strictly-typed programming languages. In conjunction with the virtual machine, we also present our development tool chain for Java and C#, and discuss the effects of our virtual machine design on these high-level languages. We also present a compact load-file format which allows applications to be stream-linked in a way that minimizes memory usage and bandwidth. All presented components are part of the IBM Mote Runner, a run-time environment for wireless sensor networks. © 2009 IEEE.