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Advantages of Model Driven Engineering for studying complex systems

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Abstract

The evaluation of the emergent behaviour in complex systems requires an analytical framework which allows the observation of different phenomena that take place at different levels. In order to observe the dynamics of complex systems, it is necessary to perform simulations so that both local and the emergent behaviour can be observed. To this end, the way in which complex system simulators are built must be examined so that it will be feasible to model large scale scenarios. In this paper, the use of Model Driven Engineering methodology is proposed to deal with this issue. Among other benefits, it is shown that this methodology allows the representation and simulation of a complex system providing support for the analysis. This analysis is supported by a metamodel which describes the system components that are under study. The application of this methodology to the development of large scale simulators is explored through a case study. This case study analyses a complex socio-technical system: a power grid.

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Notes

  1. The survey consisted in local interviews with around 20 people in Karlsruhe, Germany, in order to obtain data such as usage time and duration amongst specific socio-demographic groups. It should be noted that the survey is not representative, but rather a sample of the user behaviours of those groups.

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Acknowledgments

This work has been partially supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) and Agencia Canaria de Investigacin, Innovacin y Sociedad de la Informacin (ACIISI) of Canary Islands Autonomous Government through the project whose reference is SolSub200801000137, and also through the ACIISI PhD Grant funding to José Évora with reference TESIS20100095.

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Evora, J., Hernandez, J.J. & Hernandez, M. Advantages of Model Driven Engineering for studying complex systems. Nat Comput 14, 129–144 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-014-9469-y

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