Injecting simulation and modeling upstream in the system engineering process

This paper describes the application of simulation and modeling to enhance the understanding of a communication networking solution for the Trucking Locator Control System (TLCS) case study at the Johns Hopkins University Masters Program in Technical Management. The four major steps in this process were: developing a model of the TLCS system; generating assumptions about the TLCS system; selecting a simulation tool using a trade-study; and implementing the selected simulation tool. The selected simulation package, COMNET III, was used to establish common understanding about the system under consideration, to provide insight into its performances, and to generate data for further analysis. The same process can be utilized in other System Engineering applications, not only for educational purposes, but also to provide tools for conceptual system design and to enhance the design and integration phase in the System Engineering life-cycle.