Computer simulation

Why

Computer simulations are used when a real-world process, system or event situation is not available or feasible.

How

A computer simulation requires modelling the environment or the hardware. Hardware that is not available, that can break during testing or that is too expensive can be simulated in such a way that other components in the system do not know that a stub is being used instead of the real hardware. A simulation allows you to run an experiment many times with different parameters.

Practice

To work on signal processing algorithms, raw sensor data can be simulated by sending a list of simulated readings instead of using a real sensor during development.

Ingredients

• A design of the model.
• The ability to develop a model of the real hardware or situation.
• A simulation of the runtime environment.
• An evaluation of the simulation (i.e. does it work according to the intended model?).

Phases

• Realisation

Trade-offs

Read more about the trade-offs: Inspiration or Data / Expertise or Fit / Overview or Certainty.