Control Messaging Channel for Distributed Computer Systems

Abstract

The paper addresses the problem of communication among modules of the distributed computer systems. Such systems can be characterized as a connection of many self-contained sub-modules which are either governed by a distinguished unit or are connected in a peer-to-peer fashion. At the same time it is required that the modules communicate reliably with each other without excessive delays and transmission errors. However, very often, due to the nature of embedded systems, these requirements are not matched by the computational power of the system participants. In this paper we present a novel protocol especially designed and implemented for embedded systems. The main advantage of the presented solution consists in the properly balanced proportions between transmission reliability and algorithm complexity. The latter allows implementations starting from the simplest, even 8-bit, microprocessor platforms. There is also no constraint on the used lowest-level protocol layers, electrically or optically connecting components of a system. The paper provides also details of a practical realization in a form of class hierarchies and code.