Modeling Systems-of-Systems from Multiple Design Perspectives: Agents, Interfaces, and Architectures

A domain-agnostic process and tool for agent-based modeling of system-of-systems is presented. The process defines simulation components and focuses development efforts on unique model logic. The corresponding tool is both simulation development framework and run-time host. An example application is described to demonstrate use of the process and tool. Agent development, interface design, and architecture exploration are explicitly facilitated. Support for engineering at multiple levels of hierarchy is guided by the partitioning of simulation logic into a model, a set of architectures for that model, and an application of the model. The approach is notable as it allows systems engineers to undertake design of the facets of system-of-systems engineering that transcend and link constituent systems.