Time simulation methods for testing protocol software embedded in communicating systems

This paper deals with time simulation methods that are applicable for testing protocol software embedded in communicating systems. The novelty of the presented approach is that simulation time is used to control the level of nondeterminism caused by the environment of the software under tc:st. The test system is controlled in such a manner that external non-determinism is allowed, reduced, or eliminated according to the instructions given by th: tester. The described methods have been evaluated in and applied to testing protocols for several standards. A TETRA terminal test system has been outlined as an example, demonstrating how time simulation can be integrated with a TTCN tester and target implementation generated from the SDL model.