Visualization and rule validation in human-behavior representation
Simulation and Gaming
The levels of conceptual interoperability model: applying systems engineering principles to M&S
SpringSim '09 Proceedings of the 2009 Spring Simulation Multiconference
Understanding interoperability
Proceedings of the 2011 Emerging M&S Applications in Industry and Academia Symposium
Using a formal approach to simulation interoperability to specify languages for ambassador agents
Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference
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Composability is the capability to select and assemble simulation components in various combinations into simulation systems to satisfy specific user requirements. The defining characteristic of composability is the ability to combine and recombine components into different simulation systems for different purposes. The ability to compose simulation systems from repositories of reusable components has been a highly sought after goal among modeling and simulation developers. The expected benefits of robust, general composability include reduced simulation development cost and time, increased validity and reliability of simulation results, and increased involvement of simulation users in the process. Consequently, composability is an active research area, with both software engineering and theoretical approaches being developed. Composability exists in two forms, syntactic and semantic (also known as engineering and modeling). Syntactic composability is the implementation of components so that they can be connected. Semantic composability answers the question of whether the models implemented in the composition can be meaningfully composed. This research develops a formal theory for semantic composability of simulation components, drawing upon existing theories, including mathematical logic and computability theory. The theory includes formal definitions of composability and associated concepts, a set of theorems and proofs addressing crucial aspects of semantic composability, and an analysis of what the theoretical results imply for practical composability engineering. Theorems address specific areas of semantic composability research. Validity theorems provide requirements for preserving validity in a composition of valid components. Process complexity theorems address the computational complexity of the composition process.