The tremendous growth in the availability of inexpensive computing power and easy availability of computers have generated tremendous interest in the design and imp- mentation of Complex Systems. Computer-based solutions offer great support in the design of Complex Systems. Furthermore, Complex Systems are becoming incre- ingly complex themselves. This research book comprises a selection of state-of-the-art contributions to topics dealing with Complex Systems in a Knowledge-based En- ronment. Complex systems are ubiquitous. Examples comprise, but are not limited to System of Systems, Service-oriented Approaches, Agent-based Systems, and Complex Distributed Virtual Systems. These are application domains that require knowledge of engineering and management methods and are beyond the scope of traditional systems. The chapters in this book deal with a selection of topics which range from unc- tainty representation, management and the use of ontological means which support and are large-scale business integration. All contributions were invited and are based on the recognition of the expertise of the contributing authors in the field. By colle- ing these sources together in one volume, the intention was to present a variety of tools to the reader to assist in both study and work. The second intention was to show how the different facets presented in the chapters are complementary and contribute towards this emerging discipline designed to aid in the analysis of complex systems.

In this book, internationally recognized experts in philosophy of science, computer science, and modeling and simulation are contributing to the discussion on how ontology, epistemology, and teleology will contribute to enable the next generation of intelligent modeling and simulation applications. It is well understood that a simulation can provide the technical means to display the behavior of a system over time, including following observed trends to predict future possible states, but how reliable and trustworthy are such predictions? The questions about what we can know (ontology), how we gain new knowledge (epistemology), and what we do with this knowledge (teleology) are therefore illuminated from these very different perspectives, as each experts uses a different facet to look at these challenges. The result of bringing these perspectives into one book is a challenging compendium that gives room for a spectrum of challenges: from general philosophy questions, such as can we use modeling and simulation and other computational means at all to discover new knowledge, down to computational methods to improve semantic interoperability between systems or methods addressing how to apply the recent insights of service oriented approaches to support distributed artificial intelligence. As such, this book has been compiled as an entry point to new domains for students, scholars, and practitioners and to raise the curiosity in them to learn more to fully address the topics of ontology, epistemology, and teleology from philosophical, computational, and conceptual viewpoints.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) defines Systems Engineering as an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems.

Researchers are using intelligence-based techniques to support the practices of systems engineering in an innovative way. This research volume includes a selection of contributions by subject experts to design better systems.

"

The capability modeling and simulation (M&S) supplies for managing systems complexity and investigating systems behaviors has made it a central activity in the development of new and existing systems. However, a handbook that provides established M&S practices has not been available. Until now. Modeling and Simulation-Based Systems Engineering Handbook details the M&S practices for supporting systems engineering in diverse domains. It discusses how you can identify systems engineering needs and adapt these practices to suit specific application domains, thus avoiding redefining practices from scratch. Although M&S practices are used and embedded within individual disciplines, they are often developed in isolation. However, they address recurring problems common to all disciplines. The editors of this book tackled the challenge by recruiting key representatives from several communities, harmonizing the different perspectives derived from individual backgrounds, and lining them up with the book's vision. The result is a collection of M&S systems engineering examples that offer an initial means for cross-domain capitalization of the knowledge, methodologies, and technologies developed in several communities. These examples provide the pros and cons of the methods and techniques available, lessons learned, and pitfalls to avoid. As our society moves further in the information era, knowledge and M&S capabilities become key enablers for the engineering of complex systems and systems of systems. Therefore, knowledge and M&S methodologies and technologies become valuable output in an engineering activity, and their cross-domain capitalization is key to further advance the future practices in systems engineering. This book collates information across disciplines to provide you with the tools to more efficiently design and manage complex systems that achieve their goals.

In this book, internationally recognized experts in philosophy of science, computer science, and modeling and simulation are contributing to the discussion on how ontology, epistemology, and teleology will contribute to enable the next generation of intelligent modeling and simulation applications. It is well understood that a simulation can provide the technical means to display the behavior of a system over time, including following observed trends to predict future possible states, but how reliable and trustworthy are such predictions? The questions about what we can know (ontology), how we gain new knowledge (epistemology), and what we do with this knowledge (teleology) are therefore illuminated from these very different perspectives, as each experts uses a different facet to look at these challenges. The result of bringing these perspectives into one book is a challenging compendium that gives room for a spectrum of challenges: from general philosophy questions, such as can we use modeling and simulation and other computational means at all to discover new knowledge, down to computational methods to improve semantic interoperability between systems or methods addressing how to apply the recent insights of service oriented approaches to support distributed artificial intelligence. As such, this book has been compiled as an entry point to new domains for students, scholars, and practitioners and to raise the curiosity in them to learn more to fully address the topics of ontology, epistemology, and teleology from philosophical, computational, and conceptual viewpoints.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) defines Systems Engineering as an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems.

Researchers are using intelligence-based techniques to support the practices of systems engineering in an innovative way. This research volume includes a selection of contributions by subject experts to design better systems.

"

The tremendous growth in the availability of inexpensive computing power and easy availability of computers have generated tremendous interest in the design and imp- mentation of Complex Systems. Computer-based solutions offer great support in the design of Complex Systems. Furthermore, Complex Systems are becoming incre- ingly complex themselves. This research book comprises a selection of state-of-the-art contributions to topics dealing with Complex Systems in a Knowledge-based En- ronment. Complex systems are ubiquitous. Examples comprise, but are not limited to System of Systems, Service-oriented Approaches, Agent-based Systems, and Complex Distributed Virtual Systems. These are application domains that require knowledge of engineering and management methods and are beyond the scope of traditional systems. The chapters in this book deal with a selection of topics which range from unc- tainty representation, management and the use of ontological means which support and are large-scale business integration. All contributions were invited and are based on the recognition of the expertise of the contributing authors in the field. By colle- ing these sources together in one volume, the intention was to present a variety of tools to the reader to assist in both study and work. The second intention was to show how the different facets presented in the chapters are complementary and contribute towards this emerging discipline designed to aid in the analysis of complex systems.

The capability modeling and simulation (M&S) supplies for managing systems complexity and investigating systems behaviors has made it a central activity in the development of new and existing systems. However, a handbook that provides established M&S practices has not been available. Until now. Modeling and Simulation-Based Systems Engineering Handbook details the M&S practices for supporting systems engineering in diverse domains. It discusses how you can identify systems engineering needs and adapt these practices to suit specific application domains, thus avoiding redefining practices from scratch. Although M&S practices are used and embedded within individual disciplines, they are often developed in isolation. However, they address recurring problems common to all disciplines. The editors of this book tackled the challenge by recruiting key representatives from several communities, harmonizing the different perspectives derived from individual backgrounds, and lining them up with the book's vision. The result is a collection of M&S systems engineering examples that offer an initial means for cross-domain capitalization of the knowledge, methodologies, and technologies developed in several communities. These examples provide the pros and cons of the methods and techniques available, lessons learned, and pitfalls to avoid. As our society moves further in the information era, knowledge and M&S capabilities become key enablers for the engineering of complex systems and systems of systems. Therefore, knowledge and M&S methodologies and technologies become valuable output in an engineering activity, and their cross-domain capitalization is key to further advance the future practices in systems engineering. This book collates information across disciplines to provide you with the tools to more efficiently design and manage complex systems that achieve their goals.

Commissioned by the Society for Modeling and Simulation International (SCS), this needed, useful new 'Body of Knowledge' (BoK) collects and organizes the common understanding of a wide collection of professionals and professional associations. Modeling and simulation (M&S) is a ubiquitous discipline that lays the computational foundation for real and virtual experimentation, clearly stating boundaries-and interactions-of systems, data, and representations. The field is well known, too, for its training support via simulations and simulators. Indeed, with computers increasingly influencing the activities of today's world, M&S is the third pillar of scientific understanding, taking its place along with theory building and empirical observation. This valuable new handbook provides intellectual support for all disciplines in analysis, design and optimization. It contributes increasingly to the growing number of computational disciplines, addressing the broad variety of contributing as well as supported disciplines and application domains. Further, each of its sections provide numerous references for further information. Highly comprehensive, the BoK represents many viewpoints and facets, captured under such topics as: Mathematical and Systems Theory Foundations Simulation Formalisms and Paradigms Synergies with Systems Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Multidisciplinary Challenges Ethics and Philosophy Historical Perspectives Examining theoretical as well as practical challenges, this unique volume addresses the many facets of M&S for scholars, students, and practitioners. As such, it affords readers from all science, engineering, and arts disciplines a comprehensive and concise representation of concepts, terms, and activities needed to explain the M&S discipline. Tuncer OEren is Professor Emeritus at the University of Ottawa. Bernard Zeigler is Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona. Andreas Tolk is Chief Scientist at The MITRE Corporation. All three editors are long-time members and Fellows of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International. Under the leadership of three SCS Fellows, Dr. OEren, University of Ottawa, Dr. Zeigler, The University of Arizona, and Dr. Tolk, The MITRE Corporation, more than 50 international scholars from 15 countries provided insights and experience to compile this initial M&S Body of Knowledge.