Simulation of a Distributed Communications Network using a Multi-tasking Uniprocessor

A simulator was implemented for the emulation of N nodes in a distributed, adaptive satellite communications network with point-to-point communication links. The simulator provides programmability of node functions by acting as an interpreter for a simulation specific command language. A methodology for handling distributed updating of routing information and synchronization and scaling of event timelines is demonstrated. The simulator was written using YACC and C under UNIX and uses multiple processes and a file-based interprocess communications system. Experimental development was also performed under Concurrent C which looks promising but requires a more debugged Concurrent C implementation.