Title: Modelling and simulation of system-of-systems using P-systems theory

Authors: Shreyas Vathul Subramanian

Addresses: Robust Analytics, Inc., 1302 Cronson Blvd., Suite B, Crofton, MD – 21112, USA

Abstract: This paper connects two independent fields of research - system-of-systems (SoS) and P-systems. P-systems, originally inspired by basic features of biological membranes, where objects are placed into compartments defined by a membrane structure, and evolve according to reaction rules. Systems that belong to a particular level in the hierarchy of a SoS are can be understood to be within a membrane of certain depth. Also, objects in P-systems evolve in a maximally parallel, non-deterministic manner, a preferred method of evolution for many intractable SoS problems. Transitions of individual systems to other systems, or to alternative configurations can be easily realised using the format of P-systems. By casting typical SoS problems into P-system representations, we demonstrate the ease of problem set up, and the possibility of solving commonly intractable SoS modelling and simulation problems in feasible time. An example problem involving communication between aircraft is studied to illustrate the applicability of P-systems theory to SoS.

Keywords: modelling; system-of-systems; SoS; P-systems; membrane computing; evolving.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2018.093893

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2018 Vol.8 No.3, pp.231 - 248

Received: 07 Sep 2017
Accepted: 17 Jan 2018
Published online: 08 Aug 2018 *

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