Chapter 1 Introduction to
Simulation
Banks, Carson, Nelson & Nicol
Discrete-Event System Simulation
Outline
When Simulation Is the Appropriate Tool
When Simulation Is Not Appropriate
Advantages and Disadvantages of Simulation
Areas of Application
Systems and System Environment
Components of a System
Discrete and Continuous Systems
Model of a System
Types of Models
Discrete-Event System Simulation
Steps in a Simulation Study
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Definition
A simulation is the imitation of the operation of real-world
process or system over time.
Generation of artificial history and observation of that
observation history
A model construct a conceptual framework that
describes a system
The behavior of a system that evolves over time is
studied by developing a simulation model.
The model takes a set of expressed assumptions:
Mathematical, logical
Symbolic relationship between the entities
Goal of modeling and simulation
A model can be used to investigate a wide verity of what
if questions about real-world system.
Potential changes to the system can be simulated and predicate
their impact on the system.
Find adequate parameters before implementation
So simulation can be used as
Analysis tool for predicating the effect of changes
Design tool to predicate the performance of new system
It is better to do simulation before Implementation.
How a model can be developed?
Mathematical Methods
Probability
theory, algebraic method ,
Their results are accurate
They have a few Number of parameters
It is impossible for complex systems
Numerical computer-based simulation
It
is simple
It is useful for complex system
When Simulation Is the Appropriate Tool
Simulation enable the study of internal interaction of a subsystem
with complex system
Informational, organizational and environmental changes can be
simulated and find their effects
A simulation model help us to gain knowledge about improvement of
system
Finding important input parameters with changing simulation inputs
Simulation can be used with new design and policies before
implementation
Simulating different capabilities for a machine can help determine
the requirement
Simulation models designed for training make learning possible
without the cost disruption
A plan can be visualized with animated simulation
The modern system (factory, wafer fabrication plant, service
organization) is too complex that its internal interaction can be
treated only by simulation
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When Simulation Is Not Appropriate
When the problem can be solved by common
sense.
When the problem can be solved analytically.
If it is easier to perform direct experiments.
If cost exceed savings.
If resource or time are not available.
If system behavior is too complex.
Like
human behavior
Advantages and disadvantages of simulation
In contrast to optimization models, simulation
models are run rather than solved.
Given
as a set of inputs and model characteristics the
model is run and the simulated behavior is observed
Advantages of simulation
New policies, operating procedures, information flows and son on
can be explored without disrupting ongoing operation of the real
system.
New hardware designs, physical layouts, transportation systems
and can be tested without committing resources for their
acquisition.
Time can be compressed or expanded to allow for a speed-up or
slow-down of the phenomenon( clock is self-control).
Insight can be obtained about interaction of variables and important
variables to the performance.
Bottleneck analysis can be performed to discover where work in
process, the system is delayed.
A simulation study can help in understanding how the system
operates.
What if questions can be answered.
Disadvantages of simulation
Model building requires special training.
Vendors
of simulation software have been actively
developing packages that contain models that only
need input (templates).
Simulation results can be difficult to interpret.
Simulation modeling and analysis can be time
consuming and expensive.
Many
simulation software have output-analysis.
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Areas of application
Manufacturing Applications
Semiconductor Manufacturing
Construction Engineering and project management
Military application
Logistics, Supply chain and distribution application
Transportation modes and Traffic
Business Process Simulation
Health Care
Automated Material Handling System (AMHS)
Risk analysis
Insurance, portfolio,...
Computer Simulation
Test beds for functional testing of control-system software
CPU, Memory,
Network simulation
Internet backbone, LAN (Switch/Router), Wireless, PSTN (call center),...
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Systems and System Environment
A system is defined as a groups of objects that
are joined together in some regular interaction
toward the accomplishment of some purpose.
An
automobile factory: Machines, components parts
and workers operate jointly along assembly line
A system is often affected by changes occurring
outside the system: system environment.
Factory
: Arrival orders
Effect of supply on demand : relationship between factory
output and arrival (activity of system)
Banks
: arrival of customers
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Components of system
Entity
Attribute
A instantaneous occurrence that might change the state of the system:
breakdown
Endogenous
A collection of variables that describe the system in any time : status of machine
(busy, idle, down,)
Event
A time period of specified length :welding, stamping
State
The property of an entity : speed, capacity
Activity
An object of interest in the system : Machines in factory
Activities and events occurring with the system
Exogenous
Activities and events occurring with the environment
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Discrete and Continues Systems
A discrete system is one in which the state variables
change only at a discrete set of points in time : Bank
example
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Discrete and Continues Systems (cont.)
A continues system is one in which the state variables
change continuously over time: Head of water behind the
dam
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Model of a System
To study the system
it is sometimes possible to experiments with system
This is not always possible (bank, factory,)
A new system may not yet exist
Model: construct a conceptual framework that
describes a system
It
is necessary to consider those accepts of systems
that affect the problem under investigation
(unnecessary details must remove)
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Types of Models
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Characterizing a Simulation Model
Deterministic or Stochastic
Does
the model contain stochastic components?
Randomness is easy to add to a DES
Static or Dynamic
Is
time a significant variable?
Continuous or Discrete
Does
the system state evolve continuously or only at
discrete points in time?
Continuous: classical mechanics
Discrete: queuing, inventory, machine shop models
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Discrete-Event Simulation Model
Stochastic: some state variables are random
Dynamic: time evolution is important
Discrete-Event: significant changes occur at
discrete time instances
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Model Taxonomy
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DES Model Development
How to develop a model:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Determine the goals and objectives
Build a conceptual model
Convert into a specification model
Convert into a computational model
Verify
Validate
Typically an iterative process
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Three Model Levels
Conceptual
Very high level
How comprehensive should the model be?
What are the state variables, which are dynamic, and which are
important?
Specification
On paper
May involve equations, pseudocode, etc.
How will the model receive input?
Computational
A computer program
General-purpose PL or simulation language?
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Verification vs. Validation
Verification
Computational
model should be consistent with
specification model
Did we build the model right?
Validation
Computational
model should be consistent with the
system being analyzed
Did we build the right model?
Can an expert distinguish simulation output from
system output?
Interactive graphics can prove valuable
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Steps in Simulation
Study
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