Time windows: an approach to automated abstraction of continuous-time models into discrete-event models

The automated generation of time windows from continuous system simulation models is described. Time windows can be used to automatically generate equivalent discrete-event models at a coarser granularity level and they are also instrumental to the design of event-based control systems. The generation of time windows represents one facility in the knowledge-based multifaceted modeling and simulation environment DEVS/Scheme. In this environment, continuous-time and discrete-event models can coexist, and they can be amalgamated with AI techniques. The usefulness of these concepts is demonstrated by means of a model of a robot controlled fluid handling laboratory for space station Freedom to be used for research in life sciences, microgravity sciences and space medicine