A NOVEL REAL-TIME DEVS SIMULATION ARCHITECTURE WITH HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP CAPABILITIES

Advanced Modelling and Simulation (M&S) techniques, including Digital Twins (DTs) and Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) simulation, are essential for the design and operation of today's complex systems. Despite these advances, there remains a gap between the simulation methods used in design and those used in implementation. This paper introduces a Real-Time (RT) simulation framework that connects models using the Discrete-Event System Specification (DEVS) with external systems, improving implementation and operation. The Python xDEVS tool has been enhanced to introduce a new suite of real-time simulation components and a DEVS-based communication interface, facilitating adaptable communication protocols. The framework demonstrates its capability to integrate both DEVS and non-DEVS systems and establish effective communication through various experiments, ranging from RT simulation of DEVS models to complex multi-component systems. This tool has significant potential in supporting real and incremental system implementations through HIL techniques, making a valuable contribution to complex system design and operation.