On time and consistency in multi-level agent-based simulations

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the temporal dynamics and consistency issues in multi-level agent-based simulations, proposing a new approach called SIMILAR that explicitly models time-related aspects for improved simulation integrity.

Contribution

It introduces a generic model for the temporal dynamics of multi-level simulations and presents SIMILAR, an orthogonal approach that explicitly addresses time-related issues.

Findings

The generic model clarifies temporal dynamics in multi-level simulations.

SIMILAR effectively manages time consistency through influence/reaction principles.

The approach enhances the correctness and reliability of multi-level agent-based simulations.

Abstract

The integration of multiple viewpoints became an increasingly popular approach to deal with agent-based simulations. Despite their disparities, recent approaches successfully manage to run such multi-level simulations. Yet, are they doing it appropriately? This paper tries to answer that question, with an analysis based on a generic model of the temporal dynamics of multi-level simulations. This generic model is then used to build an orthogonal approach to multi-level simulation called SIMILAR. In this approach, most time-related issues are explicitly modeled, owing to an implementation-oriented approach based on the influence/reaction principle.