A generator for parallel simulation models in Ada

Abstract

The advances in hardware have made possible the application of multiple processors to the domain of simulation. However, the use of multiple processors complicates the model development process by requiring the simulationist to learn parallel programming techniques. This research included the development of a tool, MULTISIM, to aid in the automatic generation of parallel simulation models and the development of an environment, PARSIM, in which to experiment with the tool. MULTISIM has been designed to allow automatic generation of parallel models by utilizing four knowledge bases -- domain, modeling, target language, and parallel programming -- in the development process. This is intended to enhance the simulationist's ability to generate models without requiring extensive understanding of simulation and parallel programming concepts. Through interactive dialog a model specification is extracted from the user and then transformed into an executable model. PARSIM has been designed to allow the user to interface with MULTISIM and the runtime system so the parallel simulation models can be executed. This environment integrates a time synchronization algorithm, simulation support routines and MULTISIM via the PARSIM command language. PARSIM resides on a Sequent Balance 8000 parallel computer system. PARSIM and MULTISIM are implemented in the Ada programming language to offer portability among multiprocessor architectures. This enables the tool and the environment to be integrated into an Ada Programming Support Environment. This research details the design and implementation of MULTISIM and the PARSIM environment. A scenario of model development using MULTISIM is demonstrated and execution results using the PARSIM environment are reported. Suggestions for future work are included.