Interchanging discrete event simulation process-interaction models using the web ontology language - OWL

Abstract

Discrete event simulation development requires significant investments in time and resources. Descriptions of discrete event simulation models are associated with world views, including the process-interaction orientation. Historically, these models have been encoded using high-level programming languages or special purpose (typically vendor-specific) simulation languages. These approaches complicate simulation model reuse and interchange. The current document-centric World Wide Web is evolving into a Semantic Web that communicates information using ontologies. The Web Ontology Language - OWL, was used to encode an ontology for representing discrete event process-interaction models (DEPIM). The DEPIM ontology was developed using ontology engineering processes. The purpose of DEPIM is to provide a vendor-neutral open representation to support model interchange. Model interchange provides an opportunity to improve simulation quality, reduce development costs, and reduce development times.