Computer Tools for Complex System Design

This project will assess the feasibility of developing a method and integrated toolset to represent, design, and evaluate the behavior of large, complex, a real-time Naval systems. ALPHATECH has developed an interactive graphical simulation tool, called Modeler, which supports complex systems design and can serve as the core of an integrated complex systems design (ICSD) toolset. Modeler's graphical interface is bas advanced Petri nets, which provide a rigorous and flexible system representation. ALPHATECH will use Modeler as the basis of an ICSD toolset consisting of Pet nets and a set of traditional systems design tools (e.g., data flows, contro flows, IDEF, and queueing models). The toolset will support: automated transfer of system representations among tools; static evaluation to identif potential problems in system design; dynamic evaluation of system, subsystem, and component designs; and multi-resolution and perturbation analysis to fac itate making excursions to the dynamic evaluations. In Phase I, we determine the feasibility of developing the ICSD toolset and a functional design. In the Phase I option task, we will prepare a software spedfication for the ICSD. In Phase 11, we will develop a full-scale ICSD toolset and apply it to a Navy problem.