Discrete Event Simulation of Biological Control Processes and its Application to Autonomous Decision-Making in Manufacturing Systems |
Project Progress
This project will examine the feasibility of using discrete event simulation (DES) to apply biological control principles to increase the levels of autonomous decision-making within industrial operational systems through the integration of local control with design, planning, and scheduling activities. Concurrently, the project will investigate the potential of applying DES to integrate the modelling and simulation of low level models of biochemical reaction networks with higher level functional concepts. An opportunity will be provided to investigate the application of hierarchical and functional systems notions from industrial operational systems to the analysis of biological control and regulation systems.
Start date: July 2007
Duration: 1 year
About the project
There are fundamental differences between the Modelling and Simulation (M&S) requirements of biological control and regulation networks and those of Industrial Operational Systems (IOSs). One fundamental difference is the way M&S approach the design and planning tasks undertaken by both systems. Within a biological cell these tasks are an integral part of the ‘control' processes whereas in IOSs they are normally external tasks which are undertaken prior to the operation of such systems and which act as constraints on their control systems. The first aim of this project is, therefore, to examine, by means of discrete event simulation (DES), the feasibility of using biological control principles to significantly increase levels of autonomous decision-making within IOSs, through incorporating their design, planning and scheduling activities within their control processes. The chance of discovering fundamental autonomous control principles represents an exciting prospect.