DEVS-Based Simulation Interoperability

This chapter introduces the usage of DEVS for the purpose of implementing interoperability across heterogeneous simulation models. It shows that the DEVS framework provides a simple, yet effective conceptual basis for handling simulation interoperability. It discusses the various useful properties of the DEVS framework, describes the Shared Abstract Model (SAM) approach for interoperating simulation models, and compares it to other approaches. The DEVS approach enables formal model specification with component models implemented in multiple programming languages. The simplicity of the integration of component models designed in the DEVS, DTSS, and DESS simulation formalisms and implemented in the programming languages Java and C++ is demonstrated by a basic educational example and by a real world forest carbon accounting model. The authors hope, that readers will appreciate the combination of generalness and simplicity and that readers will consider using the DEVS approach for simulation interoperability in their own projects.