APPLICATIONS Using RAPTOR to Evaluate Communication System Sparing Strategies

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Proceedings of the 1998 Winter Simulation Conference

The application of simulation as a performance estimation tool in automated material handling system design is well documented, as is the amount of time required to build, debug, and analyze a typical AMHS simulation model. In the rapid growth, high technology industry it is infeasible to continually employ sufficient staff to create unique models of all of the possible scenarios that require examination. Typically the model is not complete before the project requirements have been modified. An alternative to unique model creation is to reuse an existing generic model. Generic models are similar to a group of software tools called simulators; software packages that contain a pre-programmed model. Investigation has indicated that a special purpose reusable generic model, designed to address the set of issues faced by a specific commercial entity, is efficient and necessary for fast model turnaround. If correctly developed, the generic model could be reused, thereby reducing model building time as well as increasing simulation accuracy. This paper discusses the use of such a model and illustrates the improvement to model build cycle time

The application of simulation techniques to information systems analysis

This paper describes the application of a computer simulation model as a tool to aid in the analysis and design of an information system. Unique to the study is the adaptation of an existing production control simulation model for the purpose of analyzing flows in a hierarchical computer network. The existing simulation model and its method of adaptation are presented. The results of the simulation analysis are utilized by a newly developed file allocation algorithm in the design of a hierarchical information system. The study was performed under close cooperation with several steel manufacturers and initiated under NSF grant ATA 73-07822 AO1. © 1982

Indirect cycle time quantile estimation using the Cornish–Fisher expansion

This paper proposes a technique for estimating steady-state quantiles from discrete-event simulation models, with particular attention paid to cycle time quantiles of manufacturing systems. The technique is based on the Cornish–Fisher expansion, justified through an extensive empirical study, and is supported with mathematical analysis. It is shown that the technique provides precise and accurate estimates for the most commonly estimated quantiles with minimal data storage and low computational requirements

Analogy-based domain analysis approach to software reuse

Domain analysis is an expansion of conventional requirements analysis. Domain analysis can support effective software reuse. However, domain analysis is time consuming and is limited to a particular application area. Analogical approaches to software reuse, on the other hand, often occur across domains. Analogical problem solving is a process of transferring knowledge from a well-understood base domain to a new target problem area. Analogy can facilitate software reuse for poorly understood problems or new application areas. Analogy shares similar concepts with reuse and some analogy theories have been applied to software reuse. However, current research on software analogy often overlooks the importance of analysis for the base domain and does not consider some critical aspects of analogy concepts. Reuse must be based on high quality artifacts, especially reuse across domains. This paper presents an approach to integrate domain analysis and analogy methods. In our view, domain analysis and software analogy have complementary roles. Domain analysis is regarded as a process to identify and supply necessary information for analogical transfer. Software analogy can provide the analyst with similar problems and solutions to reuse previous domain analysis knowledge or artifacts for a new domain. This paper presents case studies to demonstrate the increase of efficiency in applying the approach. Evaluation of the approach from various perspectives is also reported

Abstract: Software Reuse and Knowledge Transfer through Analogy and Design Patterns

This paper addresses some crucial aspects in analogy and presents applications of those concepts to software reuse and knowledge transfer in the manufacturing domain. Analogical reasoning deals with the transfer of knowledge from a well-known problem to a new problem. Analogical reasoning is closely related to software reuse and knowledge management. Software reuse is the application of existing software artifacts to another problem during the process of software development. Knowledge management talks about how to organize, update, share, and use the knowledge. Design patterns capture the recurring software solution to a problem. The concept and the objective of design patterns are similar to analogy and knowledge transfer. This paper presents some theories and empirical studies reported in analogy and successful experiences in design patterns, which provide insights from which we can learn to support software reuse and knowledge management

Proceedings of the 1998 Winter Simulation Conference

This paper discusses the development of a series of models that ultimately leads to an unusual simulation approach to modeling automated guided vehicles on a factory floor