The ISoS Modeling Framework for Infrastructure Systems Simulation

Weck

2018

IEEE Systems Journal

Self Cite

Infrastructure planners need new methods to exchange technical data in the pursuit of long-term and cross-sector objectives including sustainability. This paper demonstrates a method for infrastructure system simulation interoperability by applying the high-level architecture (HLA) to the infrastructure system of systems (ISoS) modeling framework. The ISoS considers time-aggregated simulations with iterative data exchange periods to resolve cyclic dependencies. Applying the HLA defines object models, operational agreements, federate implementations, and physical infrastructure required for a federated simulation. An example demonstrates the method on a scenario with 18 infrastructure elements across water, electricity, petroleum, and social sectors as individual federates. The cost of interoperability arises from network latency, runtime infrastructure (RTI) overhead, and additional development effort. Results across several RTIs show that a distributed simulation requires 10-100 times longer executions than noninteroperable configurations. Analysis of source code shows that the HLA contributes about 1500 (56%) more software lines of code to implement federation object models and agreements. The value of interoperability arises from new capabilities provided by the HLA: physical distribution and independent control of constituent models. Conclusions describe a role for the HLA in model-based concept exploration during collaborative and interorganizational design activities with live human participation similar to its use for wargames.

“…The example replicates the scenario in past work [9] to consider simulation interoperability. It defines 18 infrastructure elements among 4 functional sectors and 3 spatial nodes in Fig.…”

Section: A Scenario Overviewmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: A Integrated Infrastructure Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: A Integrated Infrastructure Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Infrastructure System Simulation Interoperability Using the High-Level Architecture

Weck

2018

IEEE Systems Journal

Self Cite

“…The Infrastructure System-of-Systems (ISoS) modeling framework defines contextual, structural, and behavioral templates common to all infrastructure systems [4]. Contextual templates define units of spatial and temporal aggregation and available resource types.…”

Section: Modeling Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collaborative Design In The Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Game

49th Annual Simulation Symposium (ANSS 2016)

Weck

2016

The pursuit of sustainable large-scale infrastructure systems demands new design tools to exchange information among distributed decision-makers. This paper describes and demonstrates interoperable simulation gaming as a collaborative infrastructure design activity. The Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Game (SIPG) is a prototype implementation using the High Level Architecture (HLA) to exchange technical data between sector-specific simulation models. SIPG considers a 30-year strategic planning exercise for a fictional desert nation with three role-players controlling water, energy, and agriculture sectors. A human subjects experiment with 15 ad-hoc teams shows integrated, synchronous tools facilitate data exchange which, subsequently, is correlated with effective design for common objectives.

Gaming Methods in Engineering Systems Research

Meijer

2017

Systems Engineering

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Recent interest in applications of games and gaming methods has stimulated discussion of their use in engineering systems research. Simulation games or gaming simulations are interactive environments which simultaneously model a technical system through simulation and a social system with role‐play participants. Their boundary‐spanning nature aligns with challenges in engineering systems to consider both technical and social factors in design. This paper outlines a class of gaming methods for research in engineering systems. Key contributions synthesize diverse bodies of literature to classify gaming applications as generating generalizable and contextual knowledge to benefit participants and principals, identify intellectual foundations in related social sciences, and describe the dual purpose of games as a research method for analytical or design science objectives. Conclusions highlight opportunities and challenges for gaming research methods to accommodate social science research in design‐centric activities.