The Ultimate Simulation Framework

The word Simulation as used in computer simulation is as vague as when we use words like Artificial Intelligence, or Digital Twin. It means alot of different things in different context and with different people.

In the most simplistic form we imitate a component or a system that could exist in the real world.

One useful way to describe the different forms Simulation can take is in this sketched matrix. This makes it possible to plot the different solutions, and describe their differences in tooling and methods.

The X-axis describes what life cycle phase the simulation could be is used for. From design to decommissioning. The Y-axis describes the hierarchical levels from information to multi-system.

Credits to IOT analytics that made the Digital Twin report it originates from, link below.

Example 1: A Product design simulation used in the early stages of the product lifecycle. We could designing furniture and work and do simulations in tools like Matlab or Altair Hyperworks.

Example 2: A system simulation. It could be a full production machine line, or a maybe a building like a warehouse, a factory or a retail store.

Example 3: A multi-system simulation, that connect a full eco-system, maybe a full supply chain or a fulfilment network simulation. This system-of-systems could be using many different methodologies and tools in symbiosis.

In the material and standards I have been researching I have not been able to find anything better yet. I am curious if my network knows more, if You have come across an even stronger framework, please let me know in the comments.

Credits to IOT Analytics for the inspiration, in their work Decoding digital twins: Exploring 6 main applications and their benefits