System Simulation
and Modeling
Chapter One: Introduction
1
What is a System?
• A system is a collection of entities, e.g., people or machines
that act and interact together toward the accomplishment of
some logical end.
• In practice, what is meant "the system" depends on the
objectives of a particular study.
• The collection of entities that comprise a system for one study might be
only a subset of the overall system for another.
• For example, if one wants to study a bank to determine the number of
tellers needed to provide adequate service for customers who want just
to cash a check or make a savings deposit, the system can be defined to
be that portion of the bank consisting of the tellers and the customers
waiting in line or being served.
2
State of a System
• The state of a system to be that collection of variables
necessary to describe a system at a particular time,
relative to the objectives of a study.
• In a study of a bank, examples of possible state variables
are
• the number of busy tellers,
• the number of customers in the bank, and
• the time of arrival of each customer in the bank.
3
Categories of System
• Two types, discrete and continuous.
• A discrete system: the state variables change instantaneously at
separated points in time.
• E.g., A bank is a discrete system, since state variables—e.g., the number
of customers in the bank—change only when a customer arrives or when
a customer finishes being served and departs.
• A continuous system: the state variables change continuously with
respect to time.
• An airplane moving through the air is an example of a continuous
system, since state variables such as position and velocity can change
continuously with respect to time.
• Few systems in practice are wholly discrete or wholly continuous; but
since one type of change predominates for most systems, it will usually
be possible to classify a system as being either discrete or continuous.
4
Ways to study a system
5
Modeling and Simulation
• Model of a system is the replica of the system, physical or
mathematical, which has all the properties and functions of the
system.
• Simulation is the process which simulates in the laboratory or
on the computer, the actual scenario as close to the system as
possible.
• A modeling is the general name whereas simulation is specific
name given to the computer modeling.
6
Categories of Models
• Physical models
• Mathematical models and
• Computer models
• All of these types are further defined as static and dynamic
models.
7
8
Physical Models
• Physical models are of two types, static and dynamic.
• Static physical model is a scaled down model of a system
which does not change with time.
• An architect before constructing a building, makes a
scaled down model of the building, which reflects all it
rooms, outer design and other important features.
• This is an example of static physical model.
• Similarly for conducting trials in water, we make small
water tanks, which are replica of sea, and fire small scaled
down shells in them. This tank can be treated as a static
physical model of ocean.
9
Cont’d
• Dynamic physical models are ones which change with time or which are
function of time.
• In wind tunnel, small aircraft models (static models) are kept and air is
blown over them with different velocities and pressure profiles are
measured with the help of transducers embedded in the model.
• Here wind velocity changes with time and is an example of dynamic
physical model.
• A model of a hanging wheel of vehicle is another case of dynamic
physical model discussed further.
10
Mathematical Models
• A physical model can be converted to mathematical
model.
• Most of the systems can in general be transformed into
mathematical equations.
• These equations are called the mathematical model of
that system.
• A static model gives relationships between the system
attributes when the system is in equilibrium.
• Mathematical model of a system, in equilibrium is
called a Static Mathematical Model.
11
Computer Models
• Now all types of stochastic as well as continuous mathematical models
can be numerically evaluated with the help of numerical methods using
computers.
• Solution of the problem with these techniques is called computer
modeling.
• Here one question arises, what is the difference between
mathematically obtained solution of a problem and simulation.
• Literal meaning of simulation is to simulate or copy the behavior of a
system or phenomenon under study.
• Simulation in fact is a computer model, which may involve
mathematical computation, computer graphics and even discrete
modeling.
• One can design a computer model, with the help of graphics as well as
mathematics, which simulates the actual scenario of war gaming. 12
Simulation
• Simulation is a numerical technique for conducting experiments on a
digital computer, which involves certain types of mathematical and
logical models over extended period of real time.
• We thus define system simulation as the technique of solving problems
by the observation of the performance, over time, of a dynamic model
of the system.
• In other words, we can define simulation as an experiment of physical
scenario on the computer.
13
Simulation Vs. model
Model Simulation
• A computer model is the • computer simulation is the actual
algorithms and equations running of the program that
used to capture the behavior contains these equations or
of the system being modeled. algorithms.
• Simulation is the process of
running a model
• Model of a system is the • Simulation is the process which
replica of the system, physical simulates in the laboratory or on
or mathematical, which has the computer, the actual scenario
all the properties and as close to the system as possible.
functions of the system,
14
Why simulation is required?
1. Simulation makes it possible to study and experiment with the
complex internal interactions of a given system, whether it be
a firm, an industry, an economy, or some subsystem of one of
these.
2. Through simulation we can study the effect of certain
informational, organizational, and environmental change on
the operation of a system by making alterations in the model
of the system and observing the effects of these alterations on
the system’s behavior.
3. Detailed observation of the system being simulated may lead
to a better understanding of the system and to suggestion for
improving it, suggestions that otherwise would not be
apparent.
4. Simulation can be used as a pedagogical device for teaching
both students and practitioners basic skills in theoretical
analysis, statistical analysis, and decision-making. 15
Cont’d
5. Operational gaming has been found to be an excellent means of
simulating interest and understanding on the part of the participants,
and is particularly useful in the orientation of persons who are
experienced in the subject of the game.
6. Simulations of complex systems can yield valuable insight into which
variables are more important than others in the system and how these
variables interact.
7. Simulation can be used to experiment with new situations about which
we have little or no information so as to prepare for what may happen.
8. Simulation can serve as a “pre service test” to try out new policies and
decision rules for operating a system, before running the risk of
experimenting of the real system.
9. When new components are introduced into a system, simulation can be
used to help foresee bottlenecks and other problems that may arise in
the operation of the system. 16
Monte Carlo Simulation
• Simulation can also be defined as a technique of performing
sampling experiments on the model of the system.
• This is called stochastic simulation and is a part of simulation
techniques.
• Because sampling from a particular probability distribution involves
the use of random numbers, stochastic simulation is sometimes
called Monte Carlo Simulation.
• Let us take a simple example of tossing a coin. If coin is unbiased,
probability of coming head is 0.5. If we generate two numbers say, 0
and 1, so that occurrence of both is equally likely. Let us assume that
number 1 depicts head and 0, tail. These numbers are called uniform
random numbers.
17
Purposes of Simulation
• The simulation modeling and analysis of different types of
systems are conducted for the purposes of:
• Gaining insight into the operation of a system
• Developing operating or resource policies to improve system
performance
• Testing new concepts and/or systems before implementation
• Gaining information without disturbing the actual system
18
Advantages to Simulation
• Experimentation in compressed time
• Reduced analytic requirements
• Easily demonstrated models
19
Disadvantages to Simulation
• Simulation cannot give accurate results when the input
data are inaccurate.
• Simulation cannot provide easy answers to complex
problems.
• Simulation cannot solve problems by itself
20
Application Areas of Simulation
21
Manufacturing Applications
• Analysis of electronics assembly operations
• Design and evaluation of a selective assembly station for high
precision scroll compressor shells.
• Comparison of dispatching rules for semiconductor manufacturing
using large facility models.
• Evaluation of cluster tool throughput for thin-film head production.
• Determining optimal lot size for a semiconductor backend factory.
• Optimization of cycle time and utilization in semiconductor test
manufacturing.
• Analysis of storage and retrieval strategies in a warehouse.
• Investigation of dynamics in a service oriented supply chain.
• Model for an Army chemical munitions disposal facility. 22
Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Comparison of dispatching rules using large-facility models.
• The corrupting influence of variability.
• A new lot-release rule for wafer fabs.
• Assessment of potential gains in productivity due to proactive
retied management.
• Comparison of a 200 mm and 300 mm X-ray lithography cell.
• Capacity planning with time constraints between operations
23
Construction Engineering
• Construction of a dam embankment.
• Trench less renewal of underground urban infrastructures.
• Activity scheduling in a dynamic, multiproject setting.
• Investigation of the structural steel erection process.
• Special purpose template for utility tunnel construction.
24
Military Applications
• Modeling leadership effects and recruit type in an Army
recruiting station.
• Design and test of an intelligent controller for autonomous
underwater vehicles.
• Modeling military requirements for non-warfighting operations.
25
Logistics, Transportation and
Distribution Applications
• Evaluating the potential benefits of a rail-traffic planning algorithm.
• Evaluating strategies to improve railroad performance.
• Parametric Modeling in rail-capacity planning.
• Analysis of passenger flows in an airport terminal.
• Proactive flight-schedule evaluation.
• Logistic issues in autonomous food production systems for extended
duration space exploration.
• Sizing industrial rail-car fleets.
• Production distribution in newspaper industry.
• Design of a toll plaza
• Choosing between rental-car locations.
• Quick response replenishment
26
Business Process Simulation
• Impact of connection bank redesign on airport gate assignment.
• Product development program planning.
• Reconciliation of business and system modeling.
• Personal forecasting and strategic workforce planning.
27
