Distributed Co-Simulation of Complex Engineered Systems by Combining the High Level Architecture and Functional Mock-up Interface

Modern Complex Engineered Systems (CES) are the result of the ever-growing advances in science and technology that involve new paradigms, architectures and functionalities derived from multiple domains. Due to the nature of CES, which are composed of many heterogeneous components often designed and manufactured by organizations belonging to different engineering domains, is difficult to handle their whole lifecycle through classical Modeling and Simulation (M&S) techniques. To manage this complexity, it is necessary the definition of more suitable techniques capable of addressing, in an integrated way, the issues of reusability, interoperability and distribution of CES simulation models. In this context, great benefits may come from the joint exploitation of Distributed Simulation (DS) and Co-Simulation approaches. To concretely explore this opportunity, this article proposes a solution that relies on the integration of the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) and the IEEE 1516 - High Level Architecture (HLA) standard. To prove the feasibility and validity of the defined solution, a case study concerning a scenario in the context of the Simulation Exploration Experience (SEE) international project, led by NASA, is also presented.