Chinese Functional CA Team

Sun has been very successful in spreading Java to over 6 billion devices throughout the world. Well over a billion cell phones run Java. Sun Labs is interested in what comes next. In order to help make sure that the next generation of gadgets is based Sun technology, they developed Sun Small Programable Object Technology (SPOT). They've created an experimental platform to inspire developers to build the next great toy, sensor, communication device using Sun technology. The Sun SPOT devices make include a flexible hardware platform as well as the software and tools to make it easy to innovate, experiment, and prototype whatever a developer can imagine.

Sun SPOT device is a small, wireless, battery powered experimental platform. Unlike common embedded system device, it is programmed almost entirely in Java. The hardware platform includes a range of built-in sensors as well as the ability to easily interface to external devices. One basic Sun SPOT device has three layers: the battery layer, the processor and wireless communication layer and the sensor layer.

Each layer in Sun SPOT has its own specific functions:

- The battery layer included a 750mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery which can provide more than 7 hours working time.

- The processor and wireless commnuication layer has one 180MHz, 32bit, ARM920T core processor with 512K RAM and 4M Flash and a TI CC2420 (formerly ChipCon) wireless chip based on IEEE 802.15.4 compliant which is designed for the wireless sensor network.

- The sensor layer has many elements:

    * a 3-axis accelerometer (with two range settings: 2G or 6G)
    * a temperature sensor
    * a light sensor
    * 8 tri-color LEDs
    * 6 analog inputs readable by an ADC
    * 2 momentary switches
    * 5 general purpose I/O pins and 4 high current output pins

Every SPOT kit contains two complete, free-range Sun SPOTs (with processor and wireless, sensor and battery layer) and one basestation Sun SPOT (with processor and wireless). Also included are all the software development tools and cables required to start developing applications for your Sun SPOT.