Discrete-event modelling & simulation

In Discrete-event modelling the operation of a system is represented as a chronological sequence of events. Events occur in a system with a fixed structure. Such events change the state of the system, including the state of the entities in the system and these trigger new events. When modelling is complete, you are left with a Discrete-Event Simulation (DES).

DES is mainly used to improve the operation of handling systems. Related to infrastructures this could be the handling of containers at ports, or the operation of trains on a railway network. Key to DES is the representation of entities that travel through a flow chart of processes where they stay in queues, are delayed, processed, seize and release resources, split, combine, etc. There are a variety of software tools available for DES, one example of them is the software package Arena by Rockwell Automation.

The upcoming web lecture will teach you these and other basics of DES.
You will learn:

• The basic structure of a discrete-event model and simulation: entities, object models, process (or flow) models, event lists and the use of specific simulation software.
• How discrete-event simulations help its users understand infra-systems, notably to explore logistical problems, system sensitivity and optimization.