ModelCenter: An Integration Environment for Simulation Based Design
Brett Malone, Michael Papay
Abstract
ModelCenter is a software tool developed to provide design and manufacturing engineers the ability to perform distributed modeling and analysis. ModelCenter uses a unique integration architecture to wrap and integrate legacy programs, data, and geometry features. Using a complementary server technology, designers can access multiple design simulations, databases, and APIs from remote computers. Components can be created and distributed using a server-based technology and then interfaced using ModelCenter. ModelCenter provides the design engineer with the ability to access remote applications and bring together multiple analysis tools to form an integrated simulation based design environment.
Introduction
Simulation based design and acquisition requires performance-based models that will provide the designer with decision-making potential. These models must be developed from physics-based phenomena that can provide component and system-level performance results. In addition, integration to support multidisciplinary system is crucial. Through integration of engineeringbased models, designers and systems analysts can perform trade studies or optimization of system-level parameters. ModelCenter is an application that has been developed to support model development and integration for engineering and simulation. These models can be developed across a wide spectrum of analysis fidelity. ModelCenter has broad applications to the simulation community. It demonstrates the reuse of legacy codes for Simulation Based Acquisition by enabling the rapid evaluation of concepts during the concept exploration phase to continue smoothly into system development and beyond. It illustrates the use of an integration architecture to meet the interoperability challenges faced by designers and analysts who are faced with the need to support acquisition decisions by using a distributed set of existing models.
ModelCenter complements the JMASS paradigm. It is an application that can provide modeling and design support from the engineering level to the engagement stages of modeling and simulation. Furthermore, ModelCenter provides models that can be used within the campaign and theater-wide simulation tools. In this report, we show two examples using ModelCenter. The first example is an aircraft fighter design parameterized such that fuel-burn, aerodynamic performance, and cost parameters can be optimized in ModelCenter. Using the visual integration capabilities of ModelCenter, we will link the analysis models together and provide an integrated engineering model to support design studies.
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