Strategy for Successful Enterprise-Wide Modeling and Simulation with COTS Software

This paper discusses a strategy enabling successful and productive enterprise-wide modeling and simulation using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software packages. This paper will focus on the definition of enterprise -wide modeling, a summary of enterprise -wide modeling challenges, the enterprise-wide deployment of COTS block diagram software package based modeling, and the efficient simulation of enterprise-sized models, including speed tips and tricks. The reasons for the development of this strategy will also be discussed. Successful enterprise-wide modeling and simulation implementation with COTS software i s based on experience, extensive customer feedback, and consulting project debriefs. I. Introduction HIS paper will define enterprise-wide modeling and discuss some of the signs of enterprise-wide modeling, such as using a large or enterprise -sized model which one individual does not know all the details of that model. These signs allow individuals to determine if they are working within an enterprise-wide modeling situation. Within an enterprise-wide modeling situation, there are a number of challenges to productivity and efficiency. One essential aspect to resolving these challenges is the careful deployment of COTS software and internal tools within a company. Additionally other key processes must be managed and integrated with COTS software to surmount the challenges. Some of these processes include the use of validated design configurations, the traceability of requirements, and the use of modeling standards. This paper will discuss the processes and actions that are necessary for a company to overcome challenges from enterprise-wide modeling. To provide a specific example of a COTS software package for enterprise-wide modeling and simulation, this paper will examine deploying MATLAB ® and Simulink ® in an enterprise-wide environment. The example provides suggestions for creating a strong foundation for an enterprise-wide environment, as well as examples of how the key processes can be managed and integrated. As a final topic, this paper will discuss efficient simulation of enterprise-sized models, including speed tips and tricks. The focal points for efficient simulation include the model structure, the model execution settings and model environment, and the prospective use of multiple CPUs for model simulation. The goal in enterprise-sized models is to optimize the model structure while retaining the clarity of the design. Some optimized modeling techniques for faster simulations will be discussed, including turning off unnecessary logging, disabling or decimating plotting, using variable step solvers, and finding and removing costly calculations. The use of code generation to accelerate execution and its trade-offs in improving simulation speed will be discussed, as well as general topics, such as batch strategies, multiple CPUs, and distributed systems. II. Enterprise-wide Modeling Defined To successfully and productively use COTS software packages for enterprise-wide modeling and simulation, one should be able to determine if they are in an enterprise-wide modeling situation. Signs of enterprise-wide mo deling within an organization include a large model that is too big for one person to know all the details , team members sharing a top-level model that includes multiple components , and many teams in the organization sharing reusable components . Details that quantify these three signs follow.