Simulation-based engineering of complex adaptive systems using a classifier block

A complex adaptive system (CAS) is a network of communicating, intelligent agents where each agent adapts its behavior in order to collaborate with other agents to achieve overall system goals. Further, the overall system often exhibits emergent behavior that can not be achieved by any proper subset of agents alone. A graphical simulation library called Operational Evaluation Modeling for Context-Sensitive Systems (OpEMCSS) has been developed to simulate CAS. This simulation library includes a classifier event action block that is a forward chaining, expert system controller. The classifier event action block employs evolutionary rule induction methods to discover rules during system design that achieve CAS agent self-organization and adaptation. A part production system is discussed that includes a workflow manager agent that employs the classifier event action block.