Teaching co-simulation basics through practice

International audienceCyber-physical system representation is one of the current challenges in Modeling and Simulation. In fact, multi-domain modeling requires new approaches to rigorously deal with it. Co-simulation, one of the approaches, lets modelers use several M&S tools in collaboration. The challenge is to find a way to enable co-simulation use for non-IT experts while being aware of assumptions and limitations involved. This paper deals with co-simulation basic principles teaching through practice. we propose an iterative and modular co-simulation process supported by a DSL-based environment for the MECSYCO co-simulation platform. Through a thermal use case, we are able to introduce co-simulation in a 4 hours tutorial destined to our students. Efficient energy management is one of this century challenges. The current trend to deal with it is to build cyber-physical system (CPS) [Kleissl and Agarwal, 2010]. CPS are physical systems monitored and supervised by one or several computers through a communication networks [Ra-jkumar et al., 2010]. Smart-grids are examples of CPS where the energy network is coupled with a communication network to enable remote monitoring and control. The Modeling and Simulation (M&S) of such systems is one of the current challenges in M&S due to the inter-disciplinary issues they raise. It requests the development of new methods which deal with multi-domain by integrating each expert point of view in the same rigorous and efficient M&S activity. Co-simulation [Gomes et al., 2018] is a way to achieve it

Separating Agent-Functioning and Inter-Agent Coordination by Activated Modules: The DECOMAS Architecture

The embedding of self-organizing inter-agent processes in distributed software applications enables the decentralized coordination system elements, solely based on concerted, localized interactions. The separation and encapsulation of the activities that are conceptually related to the coordination, is a crucial concern for systematic development practices in order to prepare the reuse and systematic integration of coordination processes in software systems. Here, we discuss a programming model that is based on the externalization of processes prescriptions and their embedding in Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). One fundamental design concern for a corresponding execution middleware is the minimal-invasive augmentation of the activities that affect coordination. This design challenge is approached by the activation of agent modules. Modules are converted to software elements that reason about and modify their host agent. We discuss and formalize this extension within the context of a generic coordination architecture and exemplify the proposed programming model with the decentralized management of (web) service infrastructures