Dynamic structure discrete event system specification: a new formalism for dynamic structure modeling and simulation

Traditional simulation methodologies do not support changes in model structure during a simulation run. Current methodologies support only changes in model descriptive variables. Changes in structure are thus forced to be represented at the simple behavioral level. Many models are better represented at both behavioral and structural level. We present a new simulation formalism that fully supports changes in model structure and its closure under coupling. The Dynamic Structure Discrete Event System Specification formalism (DSDEVS) supports a new simulation paradigm, structural simulation, as opposed to conventional trajectory simulation. This new formalism supports changes in structure to the full extent, ranging from simple model/connection add/deletion to the exchange of models between network of models. The DELTA simulation environment, an implementation of the DSDEVS formalism, is briefly described.