Use of Components and Agents in Web-Based Simulation Perakath Benjamin “Innovative Ideas and Technologies ” Knowledge Based Systems, Inc.

Position Web-Based Simulation Benefits From Component Technology (Near Term) and Agent Technology (Medium Term)

Outline zWeb-based simulation zChallenges and opportunities zThe component technology opportunity yComponent-based software development yRole of components in web simulation zThe agent technology opportunity yAgent software technology yRole of agents in web-based simulation zPotential benefits zFuture challenges and research opportunities

Develop Detailed Model Develop Conceptual Model Define Problem Approach Collect & Compile Data Execute Simulations Verify & Validate Model Design Experiments Refine & Optimize Model Analyze Output Done? Real World Start Yes No The Simulation Modeling Process Model Development Model Application

Problems and Opportunities zSimulation modeling is expert-dependent yexpensive ydistributed ycollaborative zAbsence of simulation knowledge management ydomain knowledge and simulation knowledge xcapture, representation, and re-use yfailure to exploit rationale and experience between projects ylack of inter-operability between multiple tools zAging commercial simulation tools yno fundamental change over the last two decades x- monolithic, non-composable, inflexible, non adapting

COM+/DCOM/ActiveX Java/JavaBeans CORBA/OMA/IIOP Virtual Enterprise Management Collaborative Engineering Distributed Planning Electronic Commerce Objects Patterns Components Frameworks Architectures Technology Levels Applications Component Software Technology Component = Independently deployable set of re-usable services Data Acquisition Legacy Systems Composability vs. Utility Technical Barriers Simulation Impact Areas Modeling Methods VisualizationModel V & V Model Execution Analysis & Optimization Testing and Certification

Role of Components in Web-Simulation Simulation Components Application Area Libraries Component Simulation Method

Autonomy Cooperation Learning Knowledge sharing Reasoning Planning Mobility Personality Personal Assistants Entertainment Collaborative Work Economic Modeling Monitoring Collaborative Interface Information Mobile Reactive Hybrid Smart Model Design Knowledge Discovery Legacy Systems Monitoring Ontology Technical Barriers Simulation Impact Areas Properties Types Applications Agent Software Technology Reasoning, Coordination Data Management Model V & V Model Execution Analysis & Optimization Agent = An autonomous software entity that can communicate and interact with the environment and with other agents

Role of Agents in Web-Simulation Simulation Agents Application Area Libraries Agent Simulation Method

Potential Benefits zDistributed Modeling zGlobal Resource Exploitation zModeling Agility zRobustness zLow Life Cycle Costs zEffective Knowledge Management zRationale Capture and Re-use

Challenges zKnowledge sharing ySemantic interoperability yShared ontologies zComposability vs. utility zLearning, cooperation, control zLegacy systems zStandards and languages zLack of technology readiness yComponents more mature than agents zNeed for industry and research initiatives yProblem->Solution and Solution->Problem

Opportunities zNeed paradigm shift within simulation modeling community yLearn from HLA, components, agents zArchitecture, frameworks, and methods zStandards and languages zComponent and agent simulation development tools zSimulation knowledge libraries yBuild and sell zComponents and agents yBuild and sell