Is XTP Suitable for Distributed Real-Time Systems?

XTP is already recognized as a transport layer protocol for next-generation distributed systems; in this paper we examine the Xpress Transfer Protocol's suitability for distributed real-time systems. Distributed real-time systems require a high degree of functionality as well as performance from their communication subsystem. In distributed real-time systems performance gains are typically made at the expense of service functionality. As a consequence many communication subsystems supporting real-time applications are based on MAC layer services. XTP promises high performance at the transport layer through efficient design and an eventual VSLI implementation, as well as a high degree of functionality, much of which is useful for distributed real-time systems. We discuss the requirements on a subsystem in order to support communication in the realtime environment. We examine the features and functionality of XTP. Finally, we conjecture about how XTP meets the requirements of a distributed real-time system, and where it fails to do so.
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Strayer, W, and Alfred Weaver. "Is XTP Suitable for Distributed Real-Time Systems?." University of Virginia Dept. of Computer Science Tech Report (1992).