Title
Reusability and composability analysis for an agent-based hierarchical modelling and simulation framework.
Abstract
Agent-based modeling and simulation has been proved useful in a variety of different complex adaptive systems comprised of autonomous, interacting components. To resolve the shortcoming of current agent-based modeling frameworks with respect to decomposition and modularity, this paper presents a formal hierarchical modeling and simulation framework with three–level architecture to reduce ambiguity as well as improve clarity in the model definition. The bottom level is Component Model (CM), which implements some domain-specific support functionality, such as curve motion in the physical domain, intelligent decision-making in the cognitive domain, etc. The middle level is Agent Model (AM), which describes an agent which can react to the current situation by executing a sequence of CMs. The top level is System Model (SM), which defines that a CAS model consists of several AMs and also the interactions between these AMs. In the hierarchical architecture, one SM can be built up from lower-level models, which were linked in a loosely coupled fashion via an event-driven interface. We then analyze the reusability and composability of lower-level models of this hierarchical framework in a formalized way. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution, we develop a graphical composite modelling tool named GraphSim, and the case study concerning two social dynamics system scenarios is also presented.
Year
DOI
Venue
2019
10.1016/j.simpat.2018.10.009
Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory
Keywords
Field
DocType
Complex adaptive systems,Agent-based modeling,Formal composite framework,Social dynamics simulation
Modeling and simulation,Computer science,Control engineering,Social dynamics,Complex adaptive system,Ambiguity,Composability,System model,Modularity,Reusability,Distributed computing
Journal
Volume
ISSN
Citations 
90
1569-190X
0
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.34
21
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Feng Zhu1116.83
Yiping Yao212031.11
Jin Li36125.54
Wenjie Tang44611.91