A case study in real-time distributed processing design

This paper describes an existing, real-time, signal-processing system redesigned as a distributed signal processing system. The design approach results in a system that is intellectually manageable, has no synchronization or mutual exclusion problems, is deadlock free, and implements transparent application interfaces. Techniques for achieving these capabilities are described, and include the use of Concurrent Pascal language, the design of specialized interprocess communication schemes, the use of preventive deadlock strategies, and a systematic testing approach.