Definitions
› System, Model, Simulation
Computer Simulation
› why? how?
Example Applications
A system is a part of some potential
reality where we are concerned with
space-time effects and casual
relationships among parts of the
system
Defining a system requires setting
boundaries
› separates system from rest of the universe
› makes the system a closed world
Examples:
› the energy flow among biological
components in a pond
› the physical motion of balls rebounding
inside a closed space
› customer service at a fast-food restaurant
› Federal Express
A model is something that we use in
lieu of the real system in order to
understand something about that
system
A model of a system
is an abstraction of that system
Models give us comprehensible
representations of systems
› something to think about
› something to communicate about
Models can have many forms
› mathematical equations
› diagrams
› physical mock-ups
Choice of form depends on the
purpose of the model
A model is a static representation
of the system
A simulation uses a model to emulate
the dynamic characteristics of a
system
A simulation is an execution of a model
The quality of a simulation is
(obviously) only as good as the quality
of the model
System: a cannonball in flight
Model: a tennis ball
Simulation: throw the tennis ball
across the parking lot
Simulations are used instead of real
systems for many reasons:
› cheaper
› more configurable and controllable
› safer
› faster (or slower)
› more accessible – easier to collect data
Computer simulation is ideal when a
model can be expressed in terms of
mathematics and logic (that’s what
computers do)
Computer simulations can easily store
information about all attributes of the
model, throughout the simulation run
analyze and
design
validate
model
model
implement execute
simulation simulation
Real- A set of assumptions
Modeling
world concerning the behavior of a &
process system Analysis
Simulation
› the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time
› to develop a set of assumptions of mathematical, logical, and symbolic
relationship between the entities of interest, of the system.
› to estimate the measures of performance of the system with the simulation-
generated data
Simulation modeling can be used
› as an analysis tool for predicting the effect of changes to existing systems
› as a design tool to predict the performance of new systems
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Simulation enables the study of, and experimentation with, the
internal interactions of a complex system, or of a subsystem
within a complex system.
Informational, organizational, and environmental changes can
be simulated, and the effect of these alterations on the model’s
behavior can be observed.
The knowledge gained in designing a simulation model may be
of great value toward suggesting improvement in the system
under investigation.
By changing simulation inputs and observing the resulting
outputs, valuable insight may be obtained into which variables
are most important and how variables interact.
Simulation can be used as a pedagogical device to reinforce
analytic solution methodologies. 14
Simulation can be used to experiment with new designs or
policies prior to implementation, so as to prepare for what
may happen.
Simulation can be used to verify analytic solutions.
By simulating different capabilities for a machine,
requirements can be determined.
Simulation models designed for training allow learning
without the cost and disruption of on-the-job learning.
Animation shows a system in simulated operation so that the
plan can be visualized.
The modern system (factory, wafer fabrication plant, service
organization, etc.) is so complex that the interactions can be
treated only through simulation. 15
When the problem can be solved using common sense.
When the problem can be solved analytically.
When it is easier to perform direct experiments.
When the simulation costs exceed the savings.
When the resources or time are not available.
When system behavior is too complex or can’t be defined.
When there isn’t the ability to verify and validate the model.
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