SYSTEMS, MODELS & SIMULATION:

BASIC DEFINITIONS
SAAD HAJ BAKRY, PhD, CEng, FIEE

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

OBJECTIVES / CONTENTS
SYSTEMS:
Definitions Architecture Examples System Studies MODELS: Types / Definitions
2

SIMULATION:
Definitions Types / Steps Advantages / Disadvantages Use

Suggested Work
Saad Haj Bakry

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

DEFINITION: 1/2
Simple Definition
[1]:

Schmidt & Taylor [2]:

A collection of entities e.g. people or machines that act and interact together toward the accomplishment of some logical end.
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An aggregation or assemblage of objects joined in some regular interaction or interdependence.

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

DEFINITION: 2/2
ISO / IBM
[3]:

A collection of men, machines, and methods organized to accomplish a set of specific functions.
4

IEEE Computer Dictionary [4]:

A collection of components organized to accomplish a specific function or a set of functions.
Saad Haj Bakry

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

CONSIDERING STUDY OBJECTIVES

System according to Study Objectives
Reference 2

Examples
Network Exchange:
All links & total traffic
One two directional link and two way traffic. One directional link with one way traffic
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What is meant by the System depends on the objectives of a particular study.

the System for one study may be a subset of the System of

another study

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
Open
boundary

System Environment
Using References 1 & 2

Exogenous Endogenous

Closed Continuous / Discrete Entity

Attribute

System
Entity
Attribute

Activity
Deterministic / Stochastic

Structure
Attribute

Activity

System State: function of time

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions Systems

BASIC COMPONENTS
Entity
Attribute Activity
An object component in the
Reference 1

system
A property of an entity

A process that cause changes in

the system Description of system entities, System attributes, and activities at any State point in time (relative to Study Objectives)
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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

BOUNDARIES
System Boundary System Environment Endogenous Activities Exogenous Activities Open System
Boundary between the system and Reference 1 its environment Changes occurring outside the system are said to occur in the system environment Activities occurring within the system.

Activities occurring in the system environment, and affect the system

A system with exogenous activities A system with no exogenous activities
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Closed System

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

CHANGE: 1/2
System Definition Examples
Digital signals Integer Variables Number of people Analog Signals Temperature Speed

Instantaneous Discrete changes at Variables separated points Using References 1 & 2 in time Continuous Continuous change with Variables respect to time. Systems

Combination: Predominantly (Discrete / Continuous)

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

CHANGE: 2/2
System
Deterministic Activities
Using References 1 & 2

Definition
Outcome can be described completely in terms of the input Random: Occurrence / Outcome

Examples
System monitoring System failures

Stochastic Activities System Activities

Combination: Predominantly (Deterministic / Stochastic)

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

EXAMPLES
System
Using Reference 1

Examples
Entities Messages Cars Customers Customers Generators Distribution Wires
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Attributes Length / Priority Speed Balance Shopping List Power Voltage

Activities Send / Receive Driving Withdrawal Payment Rotation Power Supply

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E-Mail Traffic Bank

Supermarket Power Generation Power Distribution

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

SYSTEM STUDIES: 1/3

Method of Study Use
Using References 1 & 2

Experiment with the

actual system

Experiment with a model of the actual system

The system does not exist: planning / design Working with the actual system is not feasible.

The system exists Can be operated under

different conditions

Advantages

Desirable: No study validation is needed Rarely feasible: costly / disruptive

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Flexibility & Lower Cost: especially

with Computers

Problems

Validity problem
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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

SYSTEM STUDIES: 2/3

System Analysis: ISO
Reference 5

Operations Research / Analysis: IBM / ISO

Reference 3

information requirements and processes of the system and how these relate to
each other and to any

A systematic investigation of a real or planned system to determine the

scientific methods to the solution of complex problems concerning the optional allocation of available resources.

The application of

other systems.

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Systems

SYSTEM STUDIES: 3/3

Systems Engineering
Definition
Reference 6

The Two Parts

Modeling in which each
element of the system and the criterion for measuring performance is described.

system performance.

The design of complex interconnection of many elements (a system) to maximize an agreed upon measure of

Optimization in which
adjustable elements are set at values that give the best possible performance.

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Models

DEFINITIONS
Models: IEEE Definitions
An approximation,
Reference 4 Reference 7

structure, behavior, operation, or other characteristics of a real-world process, concept or system

selected aspects of the

representation, or idealization of

A mathematical or physical

representation
of the

system relationships

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Models

TYPES OF MODELS
Static

MODELS
Using References 1 & 2

Dynamic

Mathematical Models

Physical Numerical Methods Models Analytical Methods Algorithms / Simulation

Heuristics
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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Models

STATIC V. DYNAMIC
Static Models
Using References 1 & 2

Dynamic Models
System representation considers

System representation at a particular time Time plays no role:

changes over time

System is

time independent
System is

not in balance

in balance
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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Models

PHYSICAL V. MATHEMATICAL
Physical Models
Using References 1 & 2

Mathematical Models
Attributes of system entities are represented by variables, and activities
are represented by functions.

System representation by

physical means Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or other

physical representation of the system

A simple model: moving car

distance = speed . time

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Models

ANALYTICAL V. NUMERICAL
Analytical Methods
Using References 1 & 2

Numerical Methods
Investigating models / solving equations: using

deductive reasoning of mathematical theory

e.g.: Simple models / Models represented by

Investigating / solving models: using the

computational procedures

differential equations

numerical tables numerical methods

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Developing / using
computed using

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Models

ALGORITHMS & HEURISTICS

Algorithm
Reference 5

Heuristic

Reference 5

A finite ordered set solving problems of well defined rules (sophisticated) in which an for the solution of a evaluation is made of the progress problem towards an acceptable final
To order is to place items in an arrangement in accordance of result using a series of approximation results, for example by a process guided by

An exploratory method of

trial and error.

specified rules.

For (near) Optimal Solutions: e.g. genetic algorithms / neural networks

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

SIMULATION: 1/2
Using A numerical computers computation to imitate technique the operations used with of various mathematical real world models systems
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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

SIMULATION: 2/2
IEEE
Reference 4

ISO

Reference 5

A model that behaves or operate like a given system when provided by a set of controlled input.

processing system
to represent selected of a physical or abstract system.
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The use of a data

Simulation = Emulation A model that accepts the same input and produces the same output as a given system
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behavioral characteristics

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION

Use
Characteristics Event Problem
For discrete systems The state variables change instantaneously at separate points in time driven by events.. An instantaneous occurrence that may change the state of the system. Simple systems can be manipulated by hand calculations. Real time systems are

too complicated for this manupulations.

Simulation

Use digital computers

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Reference 2 Saad Haj Bakry

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

MONTE CARLO SIMULATION

Definition
using random numbers:
General definition, but of limited use Any simulation study

Use.
Started in World War 2

Simulation studies that use uniform random numbers [U(0,1)]:

Restrictive definition, but of wider use. Reference 2
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For the restrictive definition: Generally static simulation: passage of time plays no substantive role.
Saad Haj Bakry

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

CONTINUOUS SIMULATION
Use
Characteristics
For continuous systems The state variables change continuously with time equations give the Mathematical Differential relationships for the Representation rate of change Only simple differential equations can be solved (finding the values of Problem the state variables) analytically

Simulation
Reference 2

Using numerical analysis techniques to integrate the equations, and give values for the change of the state variables
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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

DISCRETE / CONTINUOUS SIMULATION

Discrete Event
Continuous State Variable

May cause a discrete May cause a change in the value of a discrete event to continuous state variable. occur or to be May cause the scheduled relationship governing a continuous state at a certain variable to change at athreshold value. particular time
Reference 2 Saad Haj Bakry

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

STEPS OF A SIMULATION STUDY

Objectives & Problem Formulation
No

Model Definition Pilot Runs

Model Validatio n

No

Yes

Programmed Model Valid

Yes

Programming

Appropriate level of detail. Production Runs Analysis of Results

Results

Design Experiment

Results should be documented, presented and used

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

ADVANTAGES / DISADVANTAGES
Use for: Problems:
Investigation / alternative design One or more simulation of real world systems, with runs are needed for stochastic elements each set of conditions. Performance evaluations of systems (existing being planned / Simulation is designed) under different expensive and time conditions / experiments. consuming Studying systems over a long time scale (time compression) Valid analytical Checking the validity of models are preferred assumptions for analytical over simulation. models.
Reference 2 Saad Haj Bakry

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

USE OF SIMULATION: 1/2

Management & Services
Reengineering of business processes
Design of service organizations: e.g. fast food restaurants, hospitals, call centers, post offices. Determining ordering policies for inventory systems.
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Reference 2

Designing and operating transportation systems: e.g. airports, freeways, ports, subways. Analyzing financial or economic systems.

Evaluating logistic requirements: e.g. in military systems.

Saad Haj Bakry

Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

Simulation

USE OF SIMULATION: 2/2

Design Evaluations & Manufacturing
Determining requirements (HW/ SW) for:
Information networks (protocols); and Computer systems.
Reference 2

Designing and analyzing manufacturing systems. Other applications

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Evaluating military weapons systems.

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

SUGGESTED WORK
Issue Systems Requirements Define real life systems, with examples. How to study systems Define models / investigations / examples.

Models
Simulation

Define and analyze simulation

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Systems, Models & Simulation: Basic Definitions

REFERENCES
Seq.
1 2 3 4

Authors / References
Geoffrey Gordon Averill M. Law W. David Kelton IBM / ISO, DP Vocabulary, TC97,SC1, American Dictionary of IP, others IEEE Standard 610 ISO / IEC 2382: Information Technology Vocabulary S.P. Parker (Editor

Title
System Simulation Simulation Modeling and Analysis IBM Data Processing Glossary Computer Dictionary Dictionary of Computer Science: The Standardized Vocabulary Encyclopedia of Science & Technology IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms 32

Publication
Prentice-Hall, 1978 McGraw-Hill, 2000 IBM, 1977 IEEE, 1991

5
6

ISO/AFNOR 1997
McGraw Hill, 1984

ANSI / IEEE Std 100-1984

IEEE, 1984
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