Multi-tier Structured, Module-based Data Link Simulator

This proposal is intended to develop a data link simulator which utilizes the latest technologies in software engineering, such as multi-tier structure, component encapsulation, object-orientation. The simulator is a PC based real-time embedded system. Thecore of the system is an embedded PCI board. The board offers the hardware interfaces that support both asynchronous and synchronous serial data outputs. With the support of the functional modules, the simulator can be easily modified for differentcommunication protocols. A powerful DSP chip is selected for the embedded board, which can satisfy almost any calculation capacity of the communication data rate. The standard windows application style graphical user interface promises the simulator auser-friendly outlook.This simulator can be implemented in two application modes: PC standalone mode and web-based application mode. In the PC standalone application mode, the hardware board is installed in a PC. A user can perform the simulation task in the PC through thegraphic user interface. In the web-based application mode, the simulator hosted PC serves as an algorithm implementation server. The clients distributed around the local network or through the Internet access can visit the server and utilize the simulationfacilities. The server offers an embedded hardware board supporting environment; and also provides the standard web access facilities, such as the TCP/IP protocol stack, web server, Servlets, COM objects, or ASP for some customized implementation.The proposed software architecture is based on multi-tier structure. Such a system can also find wide applications in civilian and military practice. Furthermore, it will provide a flexible structure that is badly needed in current software system designand development.