A transformation model from DEVS to SMP2 based on MDA

Simulation Model Portability standard 2 (SMP2) is a successful simulation model reuse standard in European Space Agency. Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) is one of most common and powerful simulation model formalisms. Transforming a simulation model from DEVS representation to SMP2 representation is of great significance for model reuse. A Model Driven Architecture (MDA) based transformation methodology is presented first. According to this methodology, a MOF based DEVS metamodel is created and the mappings from DEVS metamodel to SMP2 metamodel are established. A transformation model from DEVS to SMP2 is described based on Query/View/Transformation (QVT) language. An illustrative example is detailed to demonstrate the application of the transformation model. The transformation model’s further application strategy and our next work are discussed in the final part.     

Discrete-event modelling of fire spreading

We deal here with the application of discrete-event System Specification (DEVS) formalism to implement a semi-physical fire spread model. Currently, models from physics finely representing forest fires are not efficient and still under development. If current softwares are devoted to the simulation of simple models of fire spread, nowadays there is no environment allowing us to model and simulate complex physical models of fire spread. Simulation models of such a type of models require being easily designed, modified and efficient in terms of execution time. DEVS formalism can be used to deal with these problems. This formalism enables the association of object-oriented hierarchical modelling with discrete-event techniques. Object-oriented hierarchical programming facilitates construction, maintenance and reusability of the simulation model. Discrete-events reduce the calculation domain to the active cells of the propagation domain (the heated ones).     

Maneuvering control simulation of underwater vehicle based on combined discrete-event and discrete-time modeling

When designing or acquiring underwater vehicles such as submarines and torpedoes, it is necessary to predict their performance precisely and perform tests repeatedly using modeling and simulation at both the engineering level and the tactical engagement level. For simulation performed for analysis purposes at the engineering level, which requires a considerable amount of computation power, a discrete-time system simulation that computes significant values at every single unit time using the established mathematical model or engineering model is mainly employed. To simulate a complex or complicated task such as a traffic analysis or tactical measure of effectiveness (MOE) analysis at the engagement level, it is appropriate to use a discrete-event system simulation that causes transition between model states through the triggering of events on the basis of the passing of messages between simplified mathematical models coupled in various ways. In this paper, we studied a maneuvering control of underwater vehicle from the perspective of a combined discrete-event and discrete-time system simulation; the simulation model is established on the basis of discrete-event system specification (DEVS) formalism, which is a representative modeling formalism of a discrete-event system simulation. In detail, the simulation includes DEVS modeling implementations of simulation execution time control and discrete-time step size control in real time at the time of performing a discrete-time system simulation for the purpose of three-dimensional visualization or carrying out a performance analysis using the DEVS model. This hybrid approach makes possible to build a simulation-based expert system which supports the decision making for the acquisition of an underwater vehicle.     

离散事件系统规范DEVS研究

离散事件系统是一类常见的系统，如何对这类系统进行描述与建模是离散事件系统仿真研究的核心内容。离散事件系统规范DEVS是一种离散事件系统形式化描述方法，它具有层次化和模块化的特点，利用该方法可对复杂的离散事件系统进行建模、设计、分析和仿真。该文详细介绍了DEVS基本模型和耦合模型，给出了DEVS在耦合运算下的封闭性构造证明，并提出了一种具有嵌套层次结构的DEVS耦合模型实现算法，该算法对基于DEVS描述的离散事件系统的仿真实现具有一定参考价值。     

Ordering of simultaneous events in distributed DEVS simulation

Simultaneous events are the events scheduled to occur at the same simulation time. This paper proposes a new event ordering mechanism for handling simultaneous events of DEVS models in distributed simulation. The DEVS formalism provides a formal framework for specifying discrete event models in a modular, hierarchical form. Thus, the formalism can ease the model verification and validation problems of distributed simulation. Also, the formalism separates models from underlying simulation algorithms. Hence, DEVS models can be simulated in both sequential and distributed environments without any modification. One important issue for such framework is to obtain the same results in both simulation environments. However, in distributed simulation of DEVS models, the processing order of simultaneous events may affect the simulation results. Thus, some ordering mechanism of events is required for well-defined simulation results. The proposed mechanism orders simultaneous events correctly with respect to their causal relationships in distributed DEVS simulation. Also, the mechanism guarantees the same ordering of simultaneous events in both sequential and distributed simulation environments.     

支持模型集成和重用的仿真语言研究

SRML是一种基于XML和脚本语言，用于表示仿真模型的参考标记语言。它试图确定一个灵活的表示仿真模型的参考标准，以加快模型的开发速度，支持模型的集成和重用，但是其草案大纲存在很多不足，需要进行扩展完善。总结了仿真模型集成和重用的关键因素，并提出结合DEVS、DEVS定义语言，研究扩展SRML的途径。重点介绍了DEVS和SRML之间的映射关系，以及SRML用于描述仿真模型的能力，如数据交互格式、继承关系、原子模型、组合模型、交互关系、仿真想定的描述等。扩展的SRML实现了仿真模型与仿真执行的分离，并继承了DEVS的所有特性，是一种平台无关的仿真语言，可以有效地支持仿真模型的集成和重用。     

模型驱动的软件多质量属性仿真评估方法

分析和评估复杂分布式软件系统涉及到系统功能性需求以及性能、可用性和可靠性等多种质量属性,但目前的方法一般不能同时兼顾功能性需求和非功能性需求,且往往只能针对单个质量属性进行评估。提出一种基于Discrete Event System Specification（DEVS）模型驱动的多质量属性仿真评估方法,使用扩展的Scheduled Parallel DEVS Modeling Language (SPDML)结合软件构件错误模型进行实验框架设计,实现了从图形化建模到仿真代码自动生成的全过程。     

Distributed simulation of DEVS and Cell-DEVS models in CD++ using Web-Services

Discrete event system specification (DEVS) is a modeling and simulation formalism that has been widely used to study the dynamics of discrete event systems. Cell-DEVS is a DEVS-based formalism that defines spatial models as a cell space assembled of a group of DEVS models connected together. CD++ is a modeling and simulation toolkit capable of executing DEVS and Cell-DEVS models that has proven to be useful for executing complex models. We present the design and implementation of a distributed simulation engine, known as D-CD++, which exposes CD++ simulation utilities as machine-consumable services. In addition, we present the design and implementation of the Web-Service components which enable D-CD++ to expose the simulation functionalities to remote users. Enabling CD++ with Web-Services technology provides a solid framework for interoperating different DEVS implementations in order to achieve a standard DEVS Modeling Language and simulation protocols. This paves the road towards DEVS standardization, while providing a mashup approach, which can lead to higher degree of reuse and reduced time to set up and run experiments, and making sharing among remote users more effective. To prove this fact, we integrate it within larger services (such as a 3D visualization engine), showing the mechanism to incorporate to other environments (including geographical information systems, web-based applications and other modeling and simulation tools) through using standard Web-Service tools. Performance of D-CD++, major bottlenecks and communication overheads are analyzed.     

基于DEVS/CD++的抢险救灾物资保障仿真建模研究

突发自然灾害条件下的抢险救灾行动是典型的离散事件系统,在分析离散事件系统规范(DEVS)模型描述的基础上,构建了抢险救灾物资保障DEVS仿真模型,分析了仿真实体,设计了仿真流程,给出了耦合模型和主要原子模型结构。并在CD++中对该模型进行了仿真试验,得到了较为合理的仿真结果,为开展抢险救灾应急保障模拟训练奠定了基础。     

Activity-based DEVS modeling

Use of model-driven approaches has been increasing to significantly benefit the process of building complex systems. Recently, an approach for specifying model behavior using UML activities has been devised to support the creation of DEVS models in a disciplined manner based on the model driven architecture and the UML concepts. In this paper, we further this work by grounding Activity-based DEVS modeling and developing a fully-fledged modeling engine to demonstrate applicability. We also detail the relevant aspects of the created metamodel in terms of modeling and simulation. A significant number of the artifacts of the UML 2.5 activities and actions, from the vantage point of DEVS behavioral modeling, is covered in details. Their semantics are discussed to the extent of time-accurate requirements for simulation. We characterize them in correspondence with the specification of the atomic model behavior. We demonstrate the approach with simple, yet expressive DEVS models.     

A review of: “FRACTALS EVERYWHERE”, by Michael Barnsley,Academic Press,San Diego,California, USA 1988

The modelling and analysis of multi-component discrete event systems is a challenging research area. Over 30 years, modelling and simulation research of discrete event system specification (DEVS) has been developed with (1) dense-time, (2) the I/O concept, and (3) hierarchical model construction. Nevertheless, DEVS model verification research began relatively recently considering the whole DEVS research history. In the meantime, over 15 years, the automata theory has been developed to cover the dense-time behaviour verification of discrete event systems. Especially, timed automata (TA) has performed the key role in the field.

This paper builds on the research results that have been achieved from both theories of DEVS and TA. Thus contributions of this paper can be seen from each side. From the viewpoint of the DEVS theory, a finite and nondeterministic DEVS has been found as a verifiable class. From the viewpoint of the TA theory, a TA which is modular and hierarchical as well as verifiable, is proposed. To show the results, this paper uses the top down manner in which a general formalism is defined first and then its sub-classes are introduced.     

A new cell space DEVS specification: Reviewing the parallel DEVS formalism seeking fast cell space simulations

This paper introduces a new specification for cellular DEVS models that assures high performance. It starts with the parallel DEVS specification and derives a high performance cellular DEVS layer using the property of closure under coupling. This is done through converting the parallel DEVS into its equivalent non-modular form which involves computational and communication overhead tradeoffs. The new specification layer, in contrast to multi-component DEVS, is identical to the modular parallel DEVS in the sense of state trajectories which are updated according to the modular message passing methodology. The equivalency of the two forms is verified using simulation methods. Once the equivalency has been ensured, analysis of the models becomes a decisive factor in employing modularity in cellular DEVS models. Non-modular models guarantee the efficiency of the models in contrast to the current cellular DEVS implementation approaches. This was achieved by converting the cell space partially or fully into atomic model in order to eliminate inter-cell messages. However, the new specification needs an automated way to implement and verify models since they might become complicated ones.     

Using a Discrete-Event System Specifications (DEVS) for designing a Modelica compiler

We introduce a new architecture for the design of a tool for modeling and simulation of continuous and hybrid systems. The environment includes a compiler based on Modelica, a modular and a causal standard specification language for physical systems modeling (the tool supports models composed using certain component classes defined in the Modelica Standard Library, and the instantiation, parameterization and connection of these MSL components are described using a subset of Modelica). Models are defined in Modelica and are translated into DEVS models. DEVS theory (originally defined for modeling and simulation of discrete event systems) was extended in order to permit defining these of models. The different steps in the compiling process are show, including how to model these dynamic systems under the discrete event abstraction, including examples of model simulation with their execution results.     

Self-reproducible DEVS formalism

System reproduction model to the growing system structure can be used to design modeling formalisms for variable system architectures having historical characteristics. We introduce a discrete event system specifications (DEVS)-based extended formalism that a system structure gradually grows through self-reproductions of system components. The proposed formalism is applied to atomic DEVS modeling and coupled DEVS modeling. As extended-atomic DEVS model, atomic self-reproduction (SR) DEVS modeling to a system component makes virtual-child atomic DEVS models. By SR DEVS modeling, a child coupled model can be also reproduced from a parent coupled model. When a system component model reproduces its system component, a child component model can receive its parent model characteristics including determined role or behavior, and include different structure model characteristics. A virtual-child model that has its parent characteristics can also reproduce next child model which may show similar attributes of the grand-parent model.     

基于DEVS的交叉路口建模与仿真

考虑有信号控制的交叉路口内车辆之间、车辆与行人之间的冲突，在离散事件仿真规范（DEVS）框架下构建了交叉路口微观交通仿真模型.以某市典型交叉路口观察数据标定仿真参数，将仿真结果与按《城市道路设计规范》计算得到的通行能力进行比较，验证了模型.在此基础上，首先，仿真分析了不同左转比例对交叉路口通行能力的影响；然后，基于各方向等待通过交叉路口的车辆数目设计了智能绿信比控制策略.仿真试验表明：通行能力随着左转车比例的增加先上升后下降；智能绿信比控制能显著提升交叉路口通行能力，明显降低平均引道延误时间.由此证明仿真模型能真实地模拟交叉路口各因素间的相互作用，且易于扩充，通用性强，能够用于其它智能交通问题的研究.     

A modular timed graph transformation language for simulation-based design

We introduce the MoTif (Modular Timed graph transformation) language, which allows one to elegantly model complex control structures for programmed graph transformation. These include modular construction, parallel composition, and a temporal dimension in addition to the usual transformation control structures. The first part of this contribution formally introduces MoTif and its semantics is based on the Discrete EVent system Specification (DEVS) formalism which allows for highly modular, hierarchical modelling of timed, reactive systems. In MoTif, graphs are embedded in events and individual transformation rules are embedded in atomic DEVS models. A side effect of the use of DEVS is the introduction of an explicit notion of time. This allows one to model a time-advance for every rule as well as to interrupt (pre-empt) rule execution. In the second part, we design a case study to show how the explicit notion of time allows for the simulation-based design of reactive systems such as modern computer games. We use the well-known game of PacMan as an example and model its dynamics in MoTif. This also allows the modelling of player behaviour, incorporating data about human players’ behaviour, and reaction times. Thus, a model of both player and game is obtained which can be used to evaluate, through simulation, the playability of a game design. We propose a playability performance measure and change the value of some parameters of the PacMan game. For each variant of the game thus obtained, simulation yields a value for the quality of the game. This allows us to choose an “optimal” (from a playability point of view) game configuration. The user model is subsequently replaced by a visual interface to a real player, and the game model is executed using a real-time DEVS simulator.     

一种DEVS原子模型向UML状态图映射方法研究

离散事件仿真规范DEVS形式化的一个重要不足在于它缺乏一种标准的、图形化的描述形式。该文研究提出了一种将DEVS的原子模型与复合模型分别映射到UML的状态图和组件图的方法,并用形式化的数学方法对DEVS原子模型向UML状态图的映射过程进行了描述与构造。这种映射将DEVS规范融入到了UML的描述形式当中,将DEVS的抽象化描述与UML的表示能力、计算机处理能力结合起来,为两种建模形式的统一提供了一个可行的思路。该文研究的成果在C^4ISR系统总体方案规范化建模中得到了逐步的应用。     

DEVS methodology for evaluating time-constrained message routing policies

Due to its ability to support temporal issues of systems, discrete event simulation is widely applicable to real-time system design. This paper presents a methodology for the modeling and simulation of time-constrained message routing policies for hypercube interconnected real-time systems. The methodology is based on a framework called the DEVS (discrete event systems specification) formalism which supports modular and hierarchical specification of discrete event models. Within the methodology, we first develop DEVS specification for models for hypercube computers and experimental frames to measure the performance of alternative message routing policies. We then implement such specification in DEVSIM++, a C++-based modeling/simulation environment that implements the DEVS formalism. Simulations of various message routing policies are performed, and the performances of such policies are compared.