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SCS Education

The Society for Modeling and Simulation International (SCS)  plays an integral role in helping to spread Modeling and Simulation throughout the world.  Modeling and Simulation is now a part of many areas of interest with many university programs focusing on the subject.  There are now many organizations whose area of focus is Modeling and Simulation.

Modeling and Simulation Areas of Interest

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Model Representation Simulation

Discrete M&S uses a model built in terms of logic where the simulation time is represented as a discrete variable. Discrete M&S is typically used in disciplines such as computer science, systems engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, business, civil engineering, and management science. This type of M&S is commonly referred to as Discrete Event Simulation.

Continuous M&S uses a model consisting of differential equations where the simulation time is represented as a continuous variable. Continuous M&S is typically used in disciplines such as aerospace engineering, computational fluid dynamics, computational solid mechanics, computational engineering, computational physics, materials science and engineering, and heat transfer.

Monte Carlo M&S uses a model built based on statistical random sampling. The model typically does not represent time-varying relationships. Monte Carlo M&S is commonly used in disciplines such as Chemistry, Computational Engineering, Financial Probabilistic Modeling, Mathematics, Nuclear Engineering, (Computational, Nuclear, Statistical) Physics, and Reliability Engineering.

System Dynamics M&S uses a model representing cause-and-effect relationships in terms of causal-loop diagrams, flow diagrams with levels, rates and equations. The equations are used for simulating system behavior. System Dynamics M&S is typically used in disciplines such as Business, Decision Sciences, Economics, Management, Organizational Sciences, Policy Studies, Social Sciences, and System Sciences.

Gaming-based M&S uses humans as part of its model. It is typically used for training. For example: Management Games are performed to train managers for a business; War Gaming is performed to train military commanders; Video Games are simulations intended for entertainment, educational or training purposes. Gaming-based M&S is typically used in disciplines such as Business, Education, Management, and Training.

Agent-based M&S uses a model representing agents and their interactions. An "agent" is intelligent, adaptive, autonomous, goal/self-directed entity that has the ability to learn, and can change its behaviors based on experience. Agent-based M&S draws characteristics from AI-based M&S and object-oriented M&S.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) based M&S uses a model intended to represent human intelligence or knowledge. An AI-based simulation model typically mimics human intelligence such as reasoning, learning, perception, planning, language comprehension, problem-solving, and decision making. Rule-based knowledge representation is commonly used for building AI-based simulation models. An Expert System is an example of an AI-based simulation of some set of knowledge, typically constructed using rule-based knowledge representation.

Virtual Reality based M&S uses modeling and simulation to enable a person to interact with a three-dimensional visual representation of a real or imaginary entity or system in an immersive, multi-sensory, and interactive manner. The user wears goggles, headsets, gloves, or body suits to interact with the simulation. Motion sensors pick up the user’s movements and adjust his or her view and action accordingly usually in real-time. Virtual Reality based M&S is typically used in disciplines such as Architecture, Computer-aided Design and Manufacturing, Education, Entertainment (Movies, Video Games), Human-Computer Interaction, Medical Science, Real Estate, and Training.

Model execution simulation

Distributed M&S executes its model parts (e.g., federation of models, submodels, model components, subcomputations) on geographically or locally distributed computers. Distributed M&S enables geographically dispersed people to interact with the running simulation typically for training purposes.

Parallel M&S executes its model parts (e.g., federation of models, submodels, model components, subcomputations) on different processors of the same computer for the purpose of achieving faster execution time.

Web-based M&S is characterized by the M&S application being accessed over a network by using the HTTP/HTTPS.  More and more web-based M&S simulations are probably using HTTPS to prevent external electronic snooping (i.e. "man-in-the-middle actions) and protocol for communication between the client computer and the M&S application running on a server computer.

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Model composition simulation

A Live Exercise is conducted in real-time in a synthetic environment consisting of hardware, software, and humans under simulated scenarios for objectives such as training, operational test and evaluation, interoperability assessment, technology assessment, or acquisition.

A Live Experimentation is conducted in real-time in a synthetic environment consisting of hardware, software, and humans under simulated scenarios for objectives such as operational effectiveness assessment, interoperability assessment, or technology (readiness) assessment.

A Live Demonstration is conducted in real-time in a synthetic environment consisting of hardware, software, and humans under simulated scenarios for the purpose of demonstrating that a complex system possesses a set of quality characteristics.

A Live Trial is conducted in real-time in a synthetic environment consisting of hardware, software, and humans under simulated scenarios for objectives such as interoperability assessment or technology assessment.

Loop simulation

Hardware-in-the-loop M&S can be viewed as Simulation-based hardware evaluation. A hardware system can be operated under simulated input conditions for the purpose of evaluating how well the hardware functions under such input conditions. For example, a space vehicle can be operated under simulated input conditions for the purpose of evaluating the vehicle’s autopilot mode. Hardware-in-the-loop M&S is a cost-effective method for evaluating a complex, mission-critical hardware before it is used in the real world.

Human-in-the-loop M&S is also called Simulation-based training. A simulation model of a system, e.g., airplane, air traffic control center, emergency management plan, or military operation is developed for the purpose of training people. Trainees interact with the visual simulation model for the purpose of learning e.g. how to fly an airplane using a flight simulation; how to control air traffic at an airport; how to manage an emergency in response to a disaster; how to make military decisions. Human-in-the-loop M&S can also be used as a cost-effective method for evaluating human performance and behavior for a proposed system design.

Software-in-the-loop can be viewed as Simulation-based Software Evaluation. A software system can be executed under simulated input conditions for the purpose of evaluating how well the software system functions under such input conditions. For example, the software used to display the common operating picture (COP) in a combat operation on a handheld computer can be executed under simulated input data (e.g., video, voice, images, text) received from many different sources for the purpose of evaluating how well the software satisfies its requirements. Software-in-the-loop M&S is a cost-effective method for evaluating a complex, mission-critical software system before it is used in the real world.

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