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National Semiconductor has made public its plans to put Sun's JavaOS on an x86-based embedded chip. That will let companies take advantage of a chip that runs both Intel and Java environments.

Specifically, National Semiconductor announced that its 32-bit embedded NS486 processor will support JavaOS, an environment being developed by Sun's JavaSoft subsidiary as an operating system dedicated to running Java quickly on platforms, including thin clients such as network computers. The company says its chip will offer the first embedded implementation of the JavaOS. Analysts expect the embedded market to be where JavaOS ultimately makes its mark

Sun also is working on an embedded chip for Java, called PicoJava., which will run only Java applications. However, National Semiconductor's NS486 can run both Java and other business applications because it is based on the Intel architecture, says Jeff Baer, software programming manager at National Semiconductor.

Joe Salvador, marketing director at National Semiconductor, expects the processor to be used in Web browsers and a wide range of business applications such as office automation and point-of-sale devices. "It has a strong appeal to the corporate market," he said. It will also likely find its way into set-top boxes and other consumer devices.

The NS486 processor embeds within the chip itself many elements typically included on an Intel-based motherboard, such as a DRAM controller and a PCMCIA controller. JavaOS support will come next year once JavaSoft puts the finishing touches on the operating system.