An Overview of the Arizona Center for Integrative Modeling and
Simulation (ACIMS)
University of Arizona
Arizona State University
Bernard P. Zeigler
www.acims.arizona.edu
Outline
 Mission, objectives, and history
 Research and educational activities
 fundamental work in the theory of modeling and simulation (M&S)
 simulation environments and standards based on discrete event
systems specification
 M&S-based integrated development and testing of net-centric
service oriented architectures
 Unique relationship with information technology industry and
government.
Arizona Center for Integrative Modeling and Simulation
(ACIMS)
 Mandated by the Arizona Board of Regents in 2001
 Spans University of Arizona and Arizona State University
 Mission – Advance Modeling and Simulation through
Research
Education
Technology Transfer
M&S will be a corner stone of technology development for the foreseeable future!
 Faculty
 Graduate Students
 Full time staff
 RTSync Spinoff
 DEVS research and
education community
Education
 Courses in ECE at
UA and ASU
Masters in ECE with
specialization in M&S
 Short course
 Tutorials
 Visiting Scholars
The Center contributes to the pool of trained M&S professionals needed to do today’s and tomorrow’s
simulation-based technology development
 Simulation Software
 License for
Education and
Research
 Open source
 User Guides,
literature
 Commercialization
via spin-off
Fundamental Research in M&S
• Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS )
• Provides sound M&S framework
• Derived from Mathematical dynamical system theory
• Supports hierarchical, modular composition
• System Entity Structure: ontology framework for M&S
• Distributed simulation, web-based, SOA-based
• Linguistic levels of interoperability (syntactic, semantic,
pragmatic)
• M&S Simulation interoperability standards
Fundamental Research in M&S (Cont’d)
Heterogeneous-Formalism Modeling
agents
NSF ERE Biocomplexity in the Environment program
 Knowledge Interchange Broker (KIB) provides its own
distinct formalism and realization
 Separately accounts for domain-neutral and domainspecific modeling
 Removes the need for composed models to have detailed
knowledge of each other
interactions
Discrete-event,
Models
landscape
Knowledge
Interchange
Broker
Discrete-time, Cellular
Automata Models
Design of Adaptive Service-based Software Systems
with Security and Multiple QoS Requirements
QoS Expectations
Adaptation
commands
QoS Adaptation
Simulation & QoS
measurements
NSF Science of Design Program
• Develop a SOA-based DEVS simulator to aid design and
evaluation of flexible and configurable SOA-based
software systems
• support design of SOA systems able to adapt to
changing tradeoffs among timeliness, throughput,
accuracy, and security
Produce
Events
SBS
Consume
Resources
Extrageneous
Events
Affect
QoS
QoS Monitoring
Resources
Measure changes of resource states
[Adaptable Service Based Software system]
Integrated Development and Testing Methodology
Define
Requirements
Capture
Requirements
Interpret
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Generate
Atomic
DEVS
Models
Generate
System
Entity
Structure
Prune
Entity
Structure
(PES)
Transform PES
to hierarchical
DEVS Models
Interpret
Behavioral
Aspects
Implement
System
SimulationBased
Testing
Insert Models
into Test
Platform
Create Test
Models
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
ID RequirementText
Define
Requirements
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
Capture
Generators shall be FD-DEVS
Spreadsheet
GpsDataGenerator,
Models
SurfaceDataGenerator,
and
Data
(behavior)
1 WirelessDataGenerator.
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
All the Generators components
shall be started by the
2 Generators.
All the Generators components
shall be stopped by the
3 Generators.
Verify
The Generator shall Created
send data
Simulate
4 every 1 second.
Models
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Update
PES
SESMicroRepresentation
1. From the GenComponent
perspective, Generators are made of
more than one Generator! Verify
2.
A Generator can be GpsData,
Simulate
Created
SurfaceData, or WirelessData
in class!
Models
3. From the Component perspective,
Generator sends GenData to
Generators!
Create Test
Models
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(structure)
FDDEVSRepresentation
Generate
DEVS
Models
Generator
(behavior)
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Update
PES
passive
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
1. Generator: to start passivate
in passive!
2. Generator: when in phase
passive and receive Start then
Verify
go to active!
Simulate
Created
3. Generator: when in active
and receive Stop then goModels
to
passive!
4. Generator: hold in active for
time 1 then output GenData
and go to active!
external event
start
internal event
output event
stop
Create Test
Models
active
stop
output GenData
passive
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodology (Cont)
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
AutoDEVS
Methodolgy
Define
Requirements
Capture
Spreadsheet
Data
Extract
Structural
Aspects
Simulate
Generate
FD-DEVS
Models
(behavior)
Verify
Created
Models
Generate
DEVS
Models
(structure)
Create Test
Models
Update
PES
Transform
PES to
DEVSJAVA
Extract
Behavioral
Aspects
Run Demo
DEVS/SOA Infrastructure for GIG Mission Thread Testing
1. MAJ Smith tasks Intell to
reconnoiter objective area and
provide threat estimate
2. Posts taskings using
Discovery and Storage
3. Intell Cell initiates high priority collection
against objective, and collectors post raw output
4. Intell posts products via Discovery and Storage
6. MAJ Smith pulls
estimate from Storage
NCES GIG/SOA
DEVS/SOA Infrastructure for GIG Mission Thread Testing
•
•
Test agents are DEVS models and
Experimental Frames
They are deployed to observe selected
participant via their service invokations
Observing Agent
for Major Smith
Observing Agent
for Intell Cell
1. MAJ Smith tasks Intell to
reconnoiter objective area and
provide threat estimate
Observing Agent
alerts other Agent
2. Posts taskings using
Discovery and Storage
3. Intell Cell initiates high priority collection
against objective, and collectors post raw output
4. Intell posts products via Discovery and Storage
notes time of posting
5. Intell Cell issues alert via messaging
6. MAJ Smith pulls
estimate from Storage
Computes Time for Task,
Measure Performance
NCES GIG/SOA
sends time to other Agent
Projects Related to JITC Contract
ICIntelligence
Community
NGA-
DOD
National GeoSpatialIntelligence Agency
DISADefense Information
Systems Agency
NCESNetwork-Centric
Enterprise Services
JITC-
USAF
US Army
JTAMDO –
Joint Theater
Air Missile Defense
Organization
TRMC
Test Resource
Management Center
DOT&E
Director, Operational
Test and Evaluation
SIAP JPOJoint
Program Office
SIAPSingle
ntegrated
Air Picture
Joint Inter
-operability
Test Command
ACIMSArizona Center for
Integrative M&S
IABMIntegrated Architecture
Behavior Model
RTSync
Unique ACIMS/{NGIT,RTSync} Relationships
•
•
•
•
A long term contractual relationship between Northrop Grumman IT (NGIT) with
ACIMS
Employs faculty, graduate/undergrad students, others
Perform M&S tasks for/at Fort Huachuca
•
Challenges:
– Rationalize different ways of doing business
– Deliver quality services on time and on budget
Benefits:
– Access to well-trained, creative talent
– Experience with real world technical requirements and work environments
– Transfer of ACIMS technology
•
RTSync – ACIMS
– commercialize/bring to market ACIMS technology
– enhance ACIMS education/training
– employ ACIMS graduates
Contractual Relationships
Prime
Northrop Grumman IT
JITC/Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
Subcontractor
Subcontractor
Spinoff
Subcontractor
JITC Contract for Advanced
Interoperability Testing
2000-2009
Structuring for Re-compete of JITC Contract
JITC/Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
CONSORTIUM
Northrop Grumman IT
OTHER
ACADEMIA
RTSync
 Profile :
- Founded in 2004.
- As technology spin-off of ACIMS, RTSync commercializes ACIMS
technology and provides M&S services and products to government and
industry.
- Two offices ( Phoenix and Sierra Vista, AZ ), 10+ employees
 Work in Progress :
- Facility Clearance Status (FCL expected in late 2008)
- SBA 8(a) certification program (expected in late 2008)
- Mentor-Protégé program with Northrop-Grumman IT (NGIT) in 2008.
 Commercial Products under Development :
- SESBuilder : SES-based data engineering / ontology framework for M&S
- Integrated ATC-Gen : Automated Test Case Generator for interoperability
testing
- Automated Test Suite : Commercialized AutoDEVS methodology
RTSync – cont’d
 Current SubContracts :
- Joint Interoperability Test Command, Scientific and Engineering Support,
Northrop Grumman IT (prime contractor)
1) NCES Operation Testing Support task ($1.4 mil, FY 09 / 10)
2) SIAP IABM Testing Support task ($1.0 mil FY 09 / 10 )
- US Army, TEIS Program, STG Inc ( prime contractor )
1) Data Engineering Service for Integrated Telecommunication Engineering ($0.5 mil,
FY 08)
 Customers / Partners :
Northrop Grumman IT, STG Inc., US Navy, US Air Force, US Army, DISA, NGA,
Republic of Korea Navy and Air Force / S&T (Sweden), EWA Services Inc.,
 Subcontractors :
ACIMS (Arizona State University) and Oak Ridge National Lab.
 Point of Contact : Dr. Doohwan “DH” Kim at 602-334-6649 or dhkim@rtsync.com, info@rtsync.com
http://www.rtsync.com
Summary
 M&S Mission, objectives, and history
 Research and educational activities
 Relationship with NGIT and JITC
 Seeking to expand to Consortium that would partner in recompete and
other projects
Contact
Bernard P. Zeigler
Professor ECE
University of Arizona
zeigler@ece.arizona.edu
www.acims.arizona.edu