Defining Families of Hybrid Models with the πHyFlow++ Modeling and Simulation Integrative Framework

The area of hybrid systems has been subjected to intense research leading to different definitions of the concept of “hybrid modelHybrid models”. For example, these models have been defined as combinations of discrete events, system dynamicsSystem dynamics, and/or agent-based models. Some modelingModelling formalisms support an alternative and more basic view considering that hybrid modelsHybrid models can read and produce continuous and discrete flows. This paper considers the latter perspective and presents πHyFlow++, an implementation of the πHyFlow integrative formalism, which supports the definition of modular and hierarchical hybrid components. πHyFlow supersedes conventional multi-paradigm representations, by providing a unifying framework for describing the basic constructs required by several modelingModelling and simulationSimulation (M&S) approaches. These operators include the support for generalized sampling and the exact representation of continuous signals. πHyFlow is based on the process interaction worldview, enabling both the transaction and the network perspectives. In this paper, we exploit the potential of πHyFlow++ hybrid components for creating a set of related models, or model product linesModel Product Lines (MPLs). We use πHyFlow++ inheritance of topologyInheritance of Topology (IT) for creating new models from existing ones, by defining the differences between model versions. Additionally, we also consider the ability to add/remove processes as an extension to IT. We present results from the development of a family of microwave oven models.