For many years, constructing simulations of complicated techniques—whether or not in engineering, protection, or science—has been restricted by incompatible software program instruments and inconsistent strategies. A brand new examine proposes a sensible answer rooted in mathematically grounded techniques principle. Researchers Professor Bernard Zeigler from RTSync Corp., Dr. Robert Kewley from simlytics.cloud, and Professor Gabriel Wainer from Carleton College have proven {that a} modeling method referred to as DEVS, brief for Discrete Occasion System Specification, can function a typical normal for simulating all kinds of techniques, irrespective of how totally different they could appear.
Professor Zeigler and his crew targeted on three key options of DEVS: closure beneath coupling, universality, and uniqueness. These options might sound technical, however they provide real-world advantages. Closure beneath coupling implies that smaller fashions will be mixed into bigger ones whereas nonetheless remaining throughout the DEVS framework, like stacking Lego blocks to construct an even bigger restackable construction. “Any system constructed by wiring up a number of DEVS fashions will be mathematically represented as a single DEVS mannequin that provides the identical outcomes when simulated.” Professor Zeigler defined. Because of this even very complicated techniques will be handled in the identical manner as easy ones, making simulations simpler to handle and scale up.
Professor Zeigler’s crew additionally highlighted DEVS universality, which is its potential to explain any system that works by occasions taking place at particular instances, referred to as discrete occasions. For instance, whether or not it’s a practice schedule, a producing line, or a web based transaction system, DEVS can mannequin it. “DEVS illustration can also be distinctive, that means the basic, easiest model of any such system has a precise match throughout the DEVS fashions,” mentioned Professor. Wainer. This permits DEVS to tug various fashions collectively beneath one constant normal.
Their analysis gives sensible steps for adapting older or non-standard techniques to work with DEVS. By “wrapping” these techniques—including a appropriate interface to allow them to talk like DEVS fashions—they will work alongside different DEVS elements. This method is very useful for organizations just like the U.S. Division of Protection, which regularly makes use of older simulation instruments. As Dr. Kewley identified, “This removes a significant barrier to widespread adoption of DEVS inside organizations with massive legacy simulation investments”.
This method helps the Division of Protection’s Modular Open Programs Strategy, or MOSA, a design technique that emphasizes constructing techniques from separate, interchangeable elements which can be straightforward to replace and mix. The researchers counsel that DEVS will be the inspiration for this method by ensuring that each one elements of a system, irrespective of how they have been created, can work collectively easily. An idea referred to as the DEVS Bus helps obtain this by permitting totally different instruments and techniques to speak to one another in a shared simulation surroundings.
Professor Zeigler’s examine additionally checked out two helpful methods: flattening and deepening. Flattening means simplifying complicated fashions by eradicating nested layers, so all elements are on the identical degree, which helps simulations run sooner. Deepening is the alternative—it introduces extra construction by organizing elements into bigger reusable modules, making them simpler to handle and construct upon. “Flattening eliminates construction by decreasing message site visitors and growing simulation effectivity; deepening can introduce hierarchical construction to reinforce modularity, reuse, and scalability,” Professor Zeigler mentioned.
Professor Zeigler and his crew end by outlining how DEVS may evolve. They suggest creating normal DEVS modules, bettering simulation instruments, and ensuring DEVS works nicely with widely-used platforms like FMI, which stands for Practical Mock-up Interface, a typical for mannequin trade and co-simulation. All these efforts goal to construct a versatile and dependable DEVS-based system the place fashions will be reused, tailored, and mixed with ease.
By grounding their method in well-established principle and offering easy-to-use strategies for connecting totally different techniques, the researchers imagine DEVS gives a sensible manner ahead. As software program turns into extra interconnected and sophisticated, having a dependable technique to simulate and check it holistically is extra essential than ever—and this examine gives a robust, mathematically-backed answer.
Dr. Doowhan Kim, president of RTSync, emphasised that DEVS has constantly confirmed itself to supply the rigor and modularity that business calls for for scalable, reliable simulation environments. He mentioned, “RTSync is main the trouble to commercialize DEVS-based platforms resembling real-world digital twins and cloud-based simulation infrastructures.” On the similar time, organizations such because the Worldwide Requirements Group (ISO) are working to standardize DEVS, guaranteeing interoperability and credibility throughout defence, science, and industrial sectors. Collectively, these efforts mark DEVS’s transition from educational analysis to a globally acknowledged spine for scientific investigation and engineering innovation.
Journal Reference
Zeigler B., Kewley R., Wainer G., “DEVS Closure Below Coupling, Universality, and Uniqueness: Enabling Simulation and Software program Interoperability from a System-Theoretic Basis.” Computer systems, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202510.1207.v1
Concerning the Authors
Bernard P. Zeigler is Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Pc Engineering on the College of Arizona, the place he taught till his retirement. Alongside that function, he serves as Chief Scientist for a spin-off firm initially launched from his laboratory on the Arizona Middle for Integrative Modeling and Simulation (ACIMS). He earned his B.S. in Engineering Physics from McGill College, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from MIT, and a Ph.D. in Pc/Communication Sciences from the College of Michigan. He’s finest recognized for growing the DEVS construction for modeling and simulation, and he holds fellow standing in main skilled societies. His work spans educational analysis and business functions of modeling in techniques engineering and software program environments.
Robert Kewley is Director and Programs Engineer at Simlytics.cloud LLC, the place he focuses on making use of simulation and modeling strategies to complicated techniques, together with operational, cloud-based, and “system of techniques” environments. His profession consists of roles in protection techniques engineering and simulation schooling. He has authored work in data-driven modeling, federated simulations, and distributed mannequin frameworks. At Simlytics, he leads efforts to combine older and newer applied sciences to allow them to be used collectively in versatile simulation platforms. Kewley’s background blends technical depth in techniques engineering with a sensible orientation towards industrial and organizational challenges.
Gabriel Wainer is a Professor within the Division of Programs and Pc Engineering at Carleton College in Ottawa, Canada, and directs the Superior Actual-Time Simulation Lab. He holds a Ph.D. from the College of Buenos Aires/Aix-Marseille College, and has held visiting positions at analysis establishments in Argentina, France and Canada. His analysis spans modeling and simulation strategies, real-time techniques, mobile fashions, and parallel or web-based simulation environments. He has printed extensively, led main grants, and served in editorial and convention management roles. Wainer continues to form how simulation instruments are developed, built-in and taught.
