UNIT 5: Requirements of models and simulations

Computer modelling is very much the same as building a model out of unwanted materials. The
main differences are the materials require the use of software and hardware instead of materials
such as bottles, toilet rolls, detergent etc.

Hardware

● A lot of processing time is needed to process graphics for simulation and modelling
systems. Simulation and modeling systems will need hardware that can process this at a
very rapid pace. Programs used in simulation and modelling systems suit computers
that have a lot of processors that can run parallel to one another.
● What is parallel processing? Two or more processing units are linked to one
computer. This will give it more power to think. There are some modelling and simulation
programs that can work on a standard desktop computer having one central processing
unit. Programs which are more complex and have large graphical components will need
more processing power. Also, a large amount of memory space is needed to house the
different data types that cause strain to processing such as audio, video, graphics etc. to
make simulations appear realistic.

Simulators

What is a simulator?

It is a hardware device that can imitate artificially the conditions that occur in an activity e.g. a
rocking horse is an example of a primitive simulator which mimic the riding of a horse for
younger children. We see a lot of simulations being used involving dangerous, historical and
time-consuming activities. We can put any situation in a mathematical data can be simulated on
a computer, but they are extremely hard to program. E.g. simulating a tsunami involves so many
unpredictable and natural elements making it hard to define their interrelationships. A flight
simulation will consist of four hardware components:

● Computers
● Projectors
● Screens
● The cockpit interior of an aircraft that works just like real life. It has been set up in a way
that is made up of instruments and mounted to simulate the rolling, pitching motions of
an aircraft. Weather conditions, information about the characteristics of the aircraft,
simulator position, terrain that it is flying over will provide the student with a real-life
experience of flying a plane.

Software: Modelling and simulation programs are designed to aid the user to create models
and then test the models in an environment which has been simulated. This type of software will
need complex programming to simulate realism in real time e.g., when turning a corner too
quickly the driver will be thrown sideways and then feel the corresponding return force in the
steering wheel and squealing noise of tyres.

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Activities
1. How does parallel processing provide a computer with more thinking power?
2. Why do more complex simulation programs require significantly more memory space
than simpler versions you may find on a standard desktop computer?
3. What is a simulation?
4. Identify the types of situations where simulations are often applied.
5. Explain the difficulties associated with simulation?
6. List four components of a flight simulator?

Answers

1. Parallel processing provides computers with more thinking power as 2 or more processing
units can be linked to one computer at the same time and operate simultaneously, as programs
and commands are split into each of the processing units and the results are then recombined.
This method of parallel processing therefore provides the computer with more thinking power
due to multiple processing units operating at the same time as they provide time-efficient and
fast responses improving and allowing for better, enhanced processing.
2. Complexing simulation programs require more space than simpler versions/programs due to
the large processing power needed cause by different data types that cause strain to processing
such as audio, graphics, video, animation and text.
3. A simulation is an imitation of an activity and it’s used for dangerous, historical and practical
tasks. Mostly simulations occur through virtual environments.
4. Situations that often simulation is used are dangerous, historical, and time-consuming
activities. They include risk analysis simulations, performance testing, safety engineering and
scientific modelling of natural systems to gain insight into their functioning.
5. Difficulties with simulations are such that when situations are simulated on a computer,
they’re extremely hard to program as interrelationships of natural elements in natural
phenomena are obscure, hard to predict/define.
6. 4 components of a flight simulator contain computers, projectors, screens, and cockpit
interiors of aircrafts set up in a way that’s made up of instruments mounted to stimulate the
rolling, pitching motions of an aircraft weather conditions etc. that provide users with real-life
experience.