Engine Integration
Figure 1 displays three elements in a simulation study: the simulation model, the simulation engine and Scenario Navigator. A simulation modeler builds the simulation model, uses a simulation engine to execute, verify and validate the model. Furthermore, a simulation modeler configures Scenario Navigator. The decision maker or analyst uses Scenario Navigator to analyze and evaluate alternative scenarios.
Figure 1: Usage of scenario navigator.
The relation between Scenario Navigator, a simulation engine, and a simulation model is shown in figure 2. Scenario Navigator controls a simuation engine, which means that it specifies the model that should be executed, sets the engine's run-parameters such as its run-length, and starts the engine. When the simulation engine is started it executes the model that was specified by Scenario Navigator. Furthermore Scenario Navigator provides data to the model and it retrieves the model's results.
Figure 2: The relation between Scenario Navigator, the simulation model, and the simulation engine.
Scenario Navigator does not include a simulation engine, instead it controls a third party simulation engine. A wide variety of commercial simulation engines exists, which can be used for different simulation and modelling purposes.
Scenario Navigator can be configured to work with many commercial simulation engines, as well as with custom engines. The relation between Scenario Navigator and third party simulation engines is shown in the figure 3. Scenario Navigator's simulation data is organized and managed in projects. Each project can be configured to manage several simulation models which are executed on a supported third party simulation engine.
Figure 3: Simulation engine connections to Scenario Navigator.
Depending on your simulation engine, certain advanced capabilities of Scenario Navigator are available. We defined four levels of integration, each of which specifies an additional step in a tighter integration with a simulation engine.
Integration levels:
- Level 0: running a model on a simulation engine, setting scenario properties, and providing data exchange between Scenario Navigator and the simulation model.
- Level 1: exchanging model object properties.
- Level 2: exchanging model object's arrays and tabular data.
- Level 3: model population and database integration.
Figure 4: Levels of simulation engine integration.
For more information on simulation engine connections, please contact us.
We are constantly adding new connections to Scenario Navigator. Please contact us if your simulation engine of choice is not supported, and we will inform you when we will have a connection between your engine and Scenario Navigator.