PowerDEVS: a tool for hybrid system modeling and real-time simulation

Abstract

In this paper we introduce a general-purpose software tool for discrete event system specification (DEVS) modeling and simulation oriented to the simulation of hybrid systems. The environment, called PowerDEVS, allows atomic DEVS models to be defined in Cþþ language that can then be coupled graphically in hierarchical block diagrams to create more complex systems. The environment automatically translates the graphically coupled models into a Cþþ code which executes the simulation. A remarkable feature of PowerDEVS is the possibility to perform simulations under a real-time operating system (RTAI) synchronizing with a real-time clock, which permits the design and automatic implementation of synchronous and asynchronous digital controllers. Combined with its continuous system simulation library, PowerDEVS is also an efficient tool for real-time simulation of physical systems. Another feature is the interconnection between PowerDEVS and the numerical package Scilab. PowerDEVS simulations can make use of Scilab workspace variables and functions, and the results can be sent back to Scilab for further processing and data analysis. In addition to describing the main features of the software tool, the article also illustrates its use with some examples which show its simplicity and efficiency.

Discrete Event Modeling and Simulation-Driven Engineering for the ATLAS Data Acquisition Network

“…We developed a model for TDAQ using the PowerDEVS tool, 14 which provides a graphical interface to define DEVS models via block diagrams, a C ++ editor to code the four dynamic functions for the M tuple, and libraries with reusable models. PowerDEVS also has a native interface to Scilab (www.scilab.org), an open source alternative to Matlab for numerical computation purposes.…”

Load management: Model-based control of aggregate power for populations of thermostatically controlled loads

“…The output is normalised to the maximum power output (all ACs turned on). The figure also shows, as a solid black line, the output to the same input when we simulate using the PowerDEVs tool [27], 10000 ACs (according to (3)) assuming homogeneous thermal resistance R thermal power P . The thermal capacitance C is distributed log-normally in the population with a standard deviation to mean ratio of σ rel .…”

Linearly implicit quantization-based integration methods for stiff ordinary differential equations

“…The whole family of QSS methods, including the methods introduced in the next section, were implemented in PowerDEVS [2], a DEVS-based simulation platform specially designed for and adapted to simulating hybrid systems based on QSS methods.…”

“…The LIQSS methods of orders 1 to 3 were implemented in PowerDEVS [2]. The static functions are the same as those of the QSS methods of orders 1 to 3 as they compute functions of piecewise polynomial trajectories.…”