Integrating Base Object Model Components into DEVS-based Simulation

The SISO standard Base Object Model (BOM) specification facilitates interoperability, re-usability, and composability of component models for simulation purposes. The common practice of constructing a BOM-based simulation system using the High-Level Architecture (HLA) does not, however, exploit the hierarchy of BOM components and hence limits re-usability. The Discrete EVent system Specification (DEVS) formalism has proven to be appropriate for hierarchical modeling and subsequent parallel and distributed simulation. In this paper we integrate the key part of the BOM, the component kernel, into a DEVS framework by mapping it onto atomic DEVS models. On the one hand, this precisely defines an automated mapping which fully conserves the wealth of information (such as hierarchy) present in BOMs. On the other hand, it allows for re-use of a plethora of theory, techniques and tools available for the DEVS formalism. If necessary, the DEVS models obtained through the integration can be optimized. A small case study of the take-off and landing of a plane demonstrates the increased re-usability compared to HLA-based approaches. This case study is also used to compare the performance of a BOM-based simulation system with the DEVS equivalent.