WSC 2001 Final Abstracts

Open Source Simulation Modeling Language (SML)
Richard A. Kilgore (ThreadTec)

Abstract:
The Simulation Modeling Language (SML™) is an open source, web-based, simulation development project to be guided by a consortium of industrial, academic and government simulation consultants, practitioners and developers. SML represents an attempt to coordinate the global development of open source simulation software libraries in a number of programming languages to foster industry standards and collaboration. Open source SML will encourage the simulation-related development of emerging technologies and standards like XML and generally enhance the quality, flexibility and validity of simulation models and improve simulation language design. This paper describes the SML software, the goals of the SML organization and relates the origins, philosophy and procedures of the open source movement to the objectives and needs of the simulation community.

SISCO: A Supply Chain Simulation Tool Utilizing Silk™ and XML
Dean C. Chatfield (Virginia Tech) and Terry P. Harrison and Jack C. Hayya (Penn State University)

Abstract:
We discuss SISCO, the Simulator for Integrated Supply Chain Operations, a Java-based tool that simplifies supply chain simulation model development. SISCO maps supply chain descriptions stored in the XML-based Supply Chain Modeling Language (SCML) format to a set of supply chain “building blocks” developed with ThreadTec’s Silk simulation classes. The resulting system combines the ease of a visual supply chain simulator, the power and flexibility of a full object-oriented programming language, and the unparalleled supply-chain model detail of a new open, information standard.

Simulation Application Service Providing (SIM-ASP)
Thomas Wiedemann (Technical University of Berlin)

Abstract:
This paper considers advantages and actual problems of web based simulation systems. Based on a critical review of environments and languages for web based simulation, some fundamental requirements for successful simulations are presented. The main goal is to change the technology-driven approach in a more customer oriented philosophy. The common concept of “Application Service Providing (ASP)” should be understood as a future technology for web based simulation environments. The paper presents a real Simulation ASP. The system is based on a database for all model and simulation data. Different simulation tools are permanently linked to the ASP control system and provide the end-user with a highly interactive work. Three different levels of modeling (source code, fixed models and universal simulation components) lead to high flexibility for all areas of simulation.

Web-Based Simulation of Systems Described by Partial Differential Equations
Manuel Alfonseca (Univsersidad Autonoma Madrid) and Juan de Lara and Hans Vangheluwe (McGill University)

Abstract:
This paper describes how to take advantage of Internet services and object technology to solve 2D partial differential equations (PDEs) in a distributed manner. This is accomplished by means of a distributed object oriented continuous simulation language designed by our research group, called OOCSMP, and a Java (and C++) generating compiler for this language (called C-OOL). We also describe a graphical mesh generator, which produces OOCSMP code. The mesh generator may be invoked from the simulation model allowing the generation of domains and meshes during model execution. The simulation of the heating of several moving pieces is shown, in the single machine case, and in the distributed case.

Managing Event Traces for a Web Front-End to a Parallel Simulation
Boon Ping Gan, Li Liu, and Zhengrong Ji (Gintic Institute of Manufacturing Technology) and Stephen J. Turner and Wentong Cai (Nanyang Technological University)

Abstract:
To enhance the widespread use of a parallel supply chain simulator, a web front-end that enables access at any time and from any location has been developed. The front-end provides the capability of model uploading, simulation runs initiation, simulation activities visualization, and simulation statistics collection. Visualizing the simulation activities requires the parallel simulator to record event traces to the file system for displaying purposes. To minimize the negative impact of the recording on the performance of parallel simulation, an event trace management algorithm, coupled with a buffering mechanism, is proposed here. The approach was evaluated using six sample supply chain models. The results show that the proposed algorithm is capable of maintaining the same level of speedup when recording is performed (in the range of 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4-CPU shared memory system), as compared to runs without recording of event traces.

The Design of a Web-Based Training System for Simulation Analysis
Yu-Hui Tao and Shin-Ming Guo (I-Shou University)

Abstract:
Simulation beginners often spend a great amount of time to accumulate the knowledge as well as the experience to overcome the technical complexity of computer simulation. Limited by time availability, classroom instructions usually contain little simulation statistical analysis after many hours of simulation modeling and programming. However, the success of a computer simulation project depends greatly on the effectiveness of simulation statistical analysis. Internet asynchronous web learning reduces the workload of classroom teaching. To help the novice learn better simulation problem solving, this research addresses designing the usability into computer-based training (CBT) environment by focusing on the simulation experience and the interaction design. A prototype asynchronous web CBT system was built for validating our design via a three-stage formative usability evaluation.