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The Modelling and Simulation Process

  • Louis G. Birta
  • Gilbert Arbez
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Part of the Simulation Foundations, Methods and Applications book series (SFMA)

Abstract

The discussion in this chapter continues the exploration of fundamental notions initiated in Chap. 1. However, a variety of important details relating to the modelling and simulation process are introduced. These set the stage for the discussions in the chapters that follow. Included here are the key notions of the observation interval, entities, data requirements, constants, parameters and (time) variables. The latter, in turn, includes input, state and output variables. The various phases of the modelling and simulation process are introduced. The essential need for clearly defined project goals for any simulation project is stressed throughout because these goals provide the basis for establishing a variety of key facets of model development, e.g. model granularity, input data requirements and output requirements. The successful completion of any modelling and simulation project can encounter many challenges, and care must be taken to avoid pitfalls. The notions of validation, verification and quality assurance are pertinent in this respect and these notions are explored. The chapter ends with the acknowledgement that modelling and simulation projects typically fall into one of two broad categories; these correspond to the study of discrete event dynamic systems (DEDS) and continuous time dynamic systems (CTDS). The two remaining parts of the book are separately focused on these two domains.

Keywords

Simulation Program Problem Description Observation Interval Project Goal Simulation Project 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag London 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Louis G. Birta
    • 1
  • Gilbert Arbez
    • 1
  1. 1.School of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceUniversity of OttawaOttawaCanada

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