On the use of visual programming languages for communication system simulation

The important features of several software packages for communication system simulation are discussed. Whereas initial versions of SYSTID and similar packages are language-oriented and designed to operate in a batch mode, such packages as ICS, ICSSM, etc. are interactive and menu driven. The packages developed in recent years (BOSS, MODEM, LabVIEW, etc.) involve powerful workstation and personal computers with friendly computing environments and highly visual and graphical user interfaces. A number of issues arise when simulation is selected as a design or analysis tool. Important considerations are the simulation environment, computer accessibility and cost, simulation accuracy, processing speed, and capability of the simulation language. It is noted that a visual programming tool like LabView gives a very favorable response to these considerations. Although LabView cannot replace the simulation languages such as SYSTID or ICS in terms of speed, it can be a helpful tool for communication system designers an analysts