| Simulation and Optimization of Dynamical Systems |
| Cesar de Prada, Dpt. of Systems Engineering and Automatic Control, University of Valladolid, Spain |
| This paper provides an overview of some methods and tools available for dealing with MIDO problems using simulation environments. The paper focuses in the so called sequential approach, where optimization algorithms are combined with a dynamic simulator in order to compute cost functions and constraints. A novel parameterization is proposed that allows converting the MIDO problem in a NLP one, saving computation time. The paper also examines the problems associated to the evaluation of the gradients when discontinuities take place in the inputs or the model due to its hybrid character. |
| Real-Time Simulators Developments: Current and New Trends |
| Rafael J. Martínez Durá, Instituto de Robótica, Universidad de Valencia, Spain |
| This article briefly describes some technologies applied to current real-time simulation training systems. It focuses on nowadays and future trends both in hardware and software architectures. The most important open source and commercially available physics engines are briefly described along with some scene graph management libraries. Additionally, cluster-based simulator issues are also discussed, including the main problems that arise from using distributed GPU programming. An analysis of current state of the art regarding web browser-based simulators is also done. Finally new trends and cutting-edge research that are being carried out in the real-time simulation field are discussed. |
| Teaching Simulation Basics Through Flowchart Simulation the Event Scheduling World View |
| Guilherme A B Pereira, Luís M S Dias, Hugo T C Rocha, Departamento de Produção e Sistemas, Escola de Engenharia, Universidade do Minho, Portugal |
| This paper refers to Event Scheduling World View, focusing on working explicitly with the foundational concepts of discrete event simulation, acting as an automatic generator of simulation programs, thus eliminating any programming effort and expertise. The main strategy is to enhance the utilization of flowcharts in modeling. Therefore, a graphical support tool (Microsoft Visio) is used to represent how the system really behaves and will also act as the source for the automatic generation of Visual Basic (VB) simulation programs. The software tool VBS (Visio Basic for Simulations) was created to read Visio flowcharts, interpret them and generate a VB simulation program. |
