Framework for Simulation of Hybrid Systems: Interoperation of Discrete Event and Continuous Simulators Using HLA/RTI

A hybrid system is a combination of discrete event and continuous systems that act together to perform a function not possible with any one of the individual system types alone. A simulation model for the system consists of two sub-models, a continuous system model, and a discrete event model, and interfaces between them. Naturally, the modeling/simulation tool/environment of each sub- model may be different and specific to the model types and the associated modeling formalisms. This paper proposes a framework for simulating hybrid systems by means of interoperation between existing simulators for a continuous model and a discrete event model using a High Level Architecture (HLA). Each simulator is executed using different simulation algorithm, and pre-simulation methodology is applied for synchronization of the different simulators. The main advantage of the proposed approach is the reuse of simulation models, which are developed in their own simulation environments of heterogeneous types. The proposed framework was applied to water level simulation.