Presenter Information

W. V. Neisius, TRW Systems

Start Date

4-1969 8:00 AM

Description

The paper describes the capabilities of a General Purpose Communication Network Simulation Program called GENCOM and traces the background leading up to its development. GENCOM, as a versatile, flexible, relatively simple program was conceived by the analysis of a complex, special purpose program written for the evaluation of the Minuteman Communication Network.

The simulation of the Minuteman Communication network was written in Simscript and modelled in detail the complex procedures for the flow of messages through the system. Unexpectedly, the simulation showed that certain second order effects could cause the system to "ring" in such a manner as to seriously interfere with successful message transmissions. This phenomena would not have occurred in the system as originally designed and could be traced to a "minor" system modification. In addition to uncovering this problem, the simulation provided the means of investigating possible solutions and identifying the most efficient one.

The success of this study spotlighted the desirability of using a simulation during the development of a system rather than after the design is frozen. The special purpose Minuteman program was analyzed to identify general techniques which might be applicable in a wide variety of communication networks. The results of this analysis led to the development of a completely General Purpose Communication Network Simulation program called GENCOM.

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Apr 1st, 8:00 AM

GENCOM - A Generalized Communication Model Concept

The paper describes the capabilities of a General Purpose Communication Network Simulation Program called GENCOM and traces the background leading up to its development. GENCOM, as a versatile, flexible, relatively simple program was conceived by the analysis of a complex, special purpose program written for the evaluation of the Minuteman Communication Network.

The simulation of the Minuteman Communication network was written in Simscript and modelled in detail the complex procedures for the flow of messages through the system. Unexpectedly, the simulation showed that certain second order effects could cause the system to "ring" in such a manner as to seriously interfere with successful message transmissions. This phenomena would not have occurred in the system as originally designed and could be traced to a "minor" system modification. In addition to uncovering this problem, the simulation provided the means of investigating possible solutions and identifying the most efficient one.

The success of this study spotlighted the desirability of using a simulation during the development of a system rather than after the design is frozen. The special purpose Minuteman program was analyzed to identify general techniques which might be applicable in a wide variety of communication networks. The results of this analysis led to the development of a completely General Purpose Communication Network Simulation program called GENCOM.

 

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