Modelling and Simulation : Exploring Dynamic System Behaviour

This book provides a balanced and integrated presentation of modelling and simulation activity for both Discrete Event Dynamic Systems (DEDS) and Continuous Time Dynamic Systems (CYDS). The authors establish a clear distinction between the activity of modelling and that of simulation, maintaining this distinction throughout. The text offers a novel project-oriented approach for developing the modelling and simulation methodology, providing a solid basis for demonstrating the dependency of model structure and granularity on project goals. Comprehensive presentation of the verification and validation activities within the modelling and simulation context is also shown.

The application of modelling and simulation is unconstrained by discipline boundaries. It provides support for the planning, design and evaluation of system behaviour, as well as the evaluation of strategies for dynamic system transformation and change.

Modelling and Simulation: Exploring Dynamic System Behaviour provides the reader with a balanced and integrated presentation of the modelling and simulation activity for both Discrete Event Dynamic Systems (DEDS) and Continuous Time Dynamic Systems (CTDS). Unconstrained by discipline boundaries, this book presents the fundamentals necessary to understand the many important facets of the modeling and simulation methodology. For example, a novel project-oriented approach clearly reveals the dependency of model structure and granularity on project goals.

Features include:

• A goal (i.e. project) oriented approach for developing the modelling and simulation methodology

• Simulation program development is illustrated in a variety of programming environments

• Extensively illustrated with numerous practical examples and useful optimization algorithms

• Presentation and use of a novel conceptual modelling approach for DEDS

• Describes the process for incorporating parameter optimization into the modeling and simulation activity

• Includes primer appendices for each of two (public domain) simulation software environments

• Public domain simulation software and a variety of teaching support material are available at a website maintained by the authors

Written for students taking a first course in modelling and simulation at either the senior undergraduate & junior graduate levels, this interdisciplinary presentation provides an essential foundation on the topic. It is also ideally suited for self-study by professionals and others who require insight into the features and potential of this rapidly evolving problem solving paradigm.

Overview Modelling and simulation is a tool that provides support for the planning, design, and evaluation of systems as well as the evaluation of strategies for system transformation and change. Its importance continues to grow at a remarkable rate, in part because its application is not constrained by discipline boundaries. This growth is also the consequence of the opportunities provided by the ever-widening availability of significant computing resources and the expanding pool of human skill that can effectively harness this computational power. However, the effective use of any tool and especially a multifaceted tool such as modelling and simulation involves a learning curve. This book addresses some of the challenges that lie on the path that ascends that curve. Consistent with good design practice, the development of this textbook began with several clearly defined objectives. Perhaps the most fundamental was the intent that the final product provide a practical (i.e., useful) introduction to the main facets of a typical modelling and simulation project. This objective was, furthermore, to include projects emerging from both the discrete-event and the continuous-time domains. In addition, the work was not to evolve into a treatise on any particular software tool, nor was it to be overly biased towards the statistical notions that play a key role in handling projects from the discrete-event domain. "Modelling and Simulation: Exploring Dynamic System Behavior provides the reader with a presentation of the modelling and simulation activity for both Discrete Event Dynamic Systems (DEDS) and Continuous Time Dynamic Systems (CTDS). Unconstrained by discipline boundaries, this book presents the fundamentals necessary to understand the many important facets of the modelling and simulation methodology. For example, a project-oriented approach reveals the dependency of model structure and granularity on project goals." "Written for students taking a first course in modelling and simulation at either the senior undergraduate or junior graduate levels, this interdisciplinary presentation provides an essential foundation on the topic. It is also suited for self-study by professionals and others who require insight into the features and potential of this rapidly evolving problem solving paradigm."--Jacket