The SLX-HLA-Interface is an add-on package for SLX, a fast discrete event simulation system which is developed by Wolverine Software. The SLX-HLA-Interface provides access to the functions of the HLA-interface specification from inside SLX. The interface takes care of synchronization issues, data exchange, and many other things which are necessary to act as a federate under HLA.

The core of the package consists of a Windows library (a DLL-file) and an SLX-specific header file for accessing the DLL. The DLL itself can be seen as a interpreter between SLX and the HLA software (Runtime Infrastructure = RTI). The DLL converts between SLX- and RTI-datatypes, keeps track of the mapping between SLX- and HLA-objects, and simplifies the entire process of programming with the RTI.

The SLX user is provided with an easy-to-use interface to the RTI and the possibility of developing distributed simulations without having to deal with the API-level of HLA.

The SLX-HLA-Interface was initially developed for the different RTI versions developed under DMSO sponsorship. It is still supported for all Windows operating systems which these RTI versions runs on. Intensively tested versions include Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP. If you are interested in testing and obtaining the SLX-HLA-Interface feel free to contact me at strassbu@web.de. You can also take a look at the technical interface documentation, which can be downloaded as a PDF document.

The SLX-HLA-Interface is constantly developed, maintained and adopted to work with the latest RTI releases based on requirements of distributed simulation projects and customers. It successfully works with CERTI RTI 3.4.0 and Pitch pRTI 4.3.0 ("HLA Evolved"). Here is a list of the latest additions to the SLX-HLA-Interface:

• January 1999 - The first release of the SLX-HLA-Interface for RTI 1.3 is available

• March 1999 - The SLX-HLA-Interface for RTI 1.3 now includes all ownership management services of the HLA-Interface Specification. SLX models can now trade attribute ownership with other HLA federates.
• April 1999 - Added support for optimistic synchronization techniques to the SLX-HLA-Interface for RTI 1.3. SLX models can now request out of order delivery of TSO events and cancel previously scheduled events.
• September 1999 - Transition to RTI 1.3 NG. The latest DMSO sponsored RTI development, called RTI 1.3 NG is still in the process of maturing. Several RTI bugs have been detected in the process of transitioning the SLX-HLA-Interface to this RTI version, but some fixes are still outstanding. Until further notice it is recommendable to stay with RTI 1.3r6 which offers the same functionality at a much higher level of reliability.
• December 2000 - The SLX-HLA-Interface now works reliably with RTI 1.3 NG.
• May 2009 - After fixing a few bugs in the CERTI source code the SLX-HLA-Interface now works with this RTI software.
• November 2011 - Support for HLA Evolved and the pRTI 4.3.0.