This research investigates how aggregation is currently conducted for simulation of large systems. The focus is on the exploration of the different aggregation techniques for hierarchical lower-level (higher resolution) models into the next higher-level. We develop aggregation procedures between two simulation levels (e.g., aggregation of mission level models into a campaign level model) to address how much and what information needs to pass from the high-resolution to the low-resolution model in order to preserve statistical fidelity. We present a mathematical representation of the simulation model based on network theory and procedures for simulation aggregation that are logical and executable. The proposed process is a collection of various conventional statistical and aggregation techniques, but we present them in a coherent and systematic manner. Our desired real-world application for the developed simulation aggregation process is in the area of military combat. We show preliminary results as applied to a complex hierarchical flying training model. There is no best universal aggregation technique for different simulation models; however, the method developed here is a well-defined set of procedures for statistically sound simulation model aggregation.

Date Published: 11 April 2008
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 6965, Modeling and Simulation for Military Operations III, 69650C (11 April 2008); doi: 10.1117/12.776702

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6965:
Modeling and Simulation for Military Operations III
Dawn A. Trevisani, Editor(s)