xDEVS: A toolkit for interoperable modeling and simulation of formal discrete event systems

Abstract

Employing Modeling and Simulation (M&S) extensively to analyze and develop complex systems is the norm today. The use of robust M&S formalisms and rigorous methodologies is essential to deal with complexity. Among them, the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) provides a solid framework for modeling structural, behavior and information aspects of any complex system.This gives several advantages to analyze and design complex systems: completeness, verifiability, extensibility, and maintainability. DEVS formalism has been implemented in many programming languages and executable on multiple platforms. In this paper, we describe the features of an M&S framework called xDEVS that builds upon the prevalent DEVS Application Programming Interface (API) for both modeling and simulation layers, promoting interoperability between the existing platform-specific (C++, Java, Python) DEVS implementations. Additionally, the framework can simulate the same model using sequential, parallel, or distributed architectures. The M&S engine has been reinforced with several strategies to improve performance, as well as tools to perform model analysis and verification. Finally, xDEVS also facilitates systems engineers to apply the vision of model-based systems engineering (MBSE), model-driven engineering (MDE), and model-driven systems engineering (MDSE) paradigms.We highlight the features of the proposed xDEVS framework with multiple examples and case studies illustrating the rigor and diversity of application domains it can support.

Model‐driven engineering for simulation models interoperability: A case study in space industry

“…Furthermore, our approach aims to offer a generalizable solution. Risco-Martí et al 24 proposed xDEVS, a framework for interoperability modeling and simulation of formal discrete event systems. It is built upon the discrete event system specification (DEVS) Application for both modeling and simulation layers, promoting interoperability between the existing platform-specific (C++, Java, Python) DEVS implementations.…”

Modeling- and Simulation-Driven Methodology for the Deployment of an Inland Water Monitoring System

“…Once a system is described following the principles of DEVS theory, it can be readily implemented using one of the many DEVS simulation engines developed over the past few decades. Among these engines, xDEVS [24] is the one used in this work. It provides an exceptional solution for sequential, real-time, parallel, or distributed simulations.…”

Simulation-driven engineering for the management of harmful algal and cyanobacterial blooms

“…Once a system is described according to DEVS theory, it can be easily implemented using one of the many DEVS M&S engines available. 28 DEVS-BLOOM is implemented and executed using xDEVS, a cross-platform DEVS simulator. This library includes a set of C, C ++, C#, Go, Java, Python, and Rust repositories that provide equivalent DEVS interfaces.…”

“…xDEVS/ Python can simulate models in real-time. 28 A scaling factor can be provided, transforming hours into minutes, minutes into seconds, etc. This is important when incorporating hardware in the loop to the virtual framework 32 since, for instance, the previous use case handles periods of 30 min, but we may want to perform tests with sensors sending data every minute.…”

“…Once a system is described according to DEVS theory, it can be easily implemented using one of the many DEVS M&S engines available. 28…”