System for combining originally software incompatible control, kinematic, and discrete event simulation systems into a single integrated simulation system

Claim 1

A simulation system which permits a plurality of dissimilar simulation systems to be interactively coordinated to create a single integrated simulation of an automation system, said dissimilar simulation systems being originally software incompatible with each other and comprising a first and second dissimilar simulation systems, said first dissimilar simulation system defining events at different time intervals from said second dissimilar simulation system, said simulation system comprising: a discrete event simulation system defining a plurality of discrete event simulation elements which define events at irregular points in time therein, said discrete event simulation elements generating a plurality of messages therefrom; a kinematic simulation system defining a plurality of kinematic simulation elements therein which define events at regular points in time, said kinematic simulation elements generating a plurality of messages therefrom; a control simulation system defining a plurality of control simulation elements therein, each of said control simulation elements generating a plurality of messages therefrom and being uniquely associated with and in communication with one of said plurality of discrete event and kinematic simulation elements; each of said discrete event, said kinematic, and said control simulation systems being one of said plurality of dissimilar simulation systems; communication means, connected to each of said dissimilar simulation systems, for routing messages among said dissimilar simulation systems; library means, connected to said communication means for creating and storing said discrete event simulation elements, said kinematic simulation elements, and said control simulation elements therein; and synchronization means for synchronizing the delivery of information to and from said dissimilar simulation systems, said synchronization means being connected to said communication means and being operable to provide a time stamp upon each message of said pluralities of messages and for enabling said discrete event, kinematic, and control simulation systems to cooperate in creating said single integrated simulation, said synchronization means including: a centralized synchronization manager, and a plurality of local synchronization managers, each of said local synchronization managers being connected to a simulation system being interactively coordinated to create said single integrated simulation of an automation system.