Q.

Fixed Time Step VS Next Event Simulation

Fixed Time-Step Simulation:
Overview:
 In fixed time-step simulation, the simulation clock advances by fixed time intervals,
denoted as τ\tau.
 During each interval, the system checks if any events have occurred and updates the
system state accordingly.
Process:
1. Initialize: Start by setting up the initial state of the system and the fixed time interval
τ\tau.
2. Advance Time: The simulation clock moves forward by τ\tau.
3. Check Events: Determine if any events occurred during this time interval.
4. Update State: If events are detected, update the system state at the end of the
interval.
5. Statistics Collection: Gather and record relevant data for analysis.
6. Repeat: Continue this process until the end of the simulation period.
Advantages:
 Simplicity: Easy to implement and understand.
 Predictability: Time advances in regular, predictable intervals, making it
straightforward to track.
Disadvantages:
 Inefficiency: Can be computationally intensive if events are infrequent because the
system checks for events at every time step.
 Accuracy: Larger time steps may miss events or lead to less accurate results. Smaller
time steps increase computational load.
Next-Event Simulation
Overview:
 In next-event simulation, the clock advances to the exact time of the next event rather
than at fixed intervals.
 The system state is updated only when events occur, making this method more
efficient for systems with infrequent events.
Process:
1. Initialize: Set up the initial state of the system and identify the first event.
2. Identify Next Event: Determine the next event and the time it will occur.
3. Advance Time: Move the simulation clock directly to the time of the next event.
4. Process Event: Update the system state based on the occurrence of this event.
5. Statistics Collection: Gather and record relevant data for analysis.
6. Repeat: Continue identifying and processing the next events until the end of the
simulation period.
Advantages:
 Efficiency: More efficient as it only processes actual events rather than checking for
events at every time step.
 Accuracy: Provides precise event timing, resulting in more accurate simulations.
Disadvantages:
 Complexity: More complex to implement and manage, as it requires maintaining an
event list and accurately determining the timing and impact of each event.
 Irregular Time Steps: Time advances in irregular intervals, which can make it harder
to predict system behaviour over long periods.
When to Use Each Method
Fixed Time-Step Simulation is suitable for:
 Continuous Processes: Systems with frequent, evenly distributed events, such as
real-time systems and physics simulations.
Next-Event Simulation is preferred for:
 Sparse and Irregular Events: Systems with sporadic events, such as queueing
systems, network traffic simulations, and project scheduling.
Summary
In conclusion, choosing between fixed time-step and next-event simulation methods depends
on the nature of the system being modelled and the trade-offs between simplicity, efficiency,
and accuracy. Fixed time-step is easier to implement but can be less efficient and accurate for
systems with infrequent events, whereas next-event simulation is more efficient and precise
for systems with sporadic events but requires more complex implementation.
Q. Computer Model of a single server queue system
Overview
A single-server queuing system involves customers arriving at a service point, waiting if the
server is busy, and being served when the server is available. Key components include:
 Arrival Process: Describes how customers arrive (e.g., Poisson process).
 Service Process: Describes how customers are served (e.g., exponential distribution).
 Queue Discipline: Describes the order in which customers are served (e.g., FIFO).
 Performance Metrics: Such as average wait time, queue length, and server
utilization.
Components of the Model
1. Arrival Process:
o Customers arrive according to a specific statistical distribution.
 o The most common model is the Poisson process, where inter-arrival times are
exponentially distributed.
2. Service Process:
o The service times follow a certain distribution, often assumed to be
exponential.
o The server serves one customer at a time.
3. Queue Discipline:
o First-In-First-Out (FIFO) is the most common discipline, where customers are
served in the order they arrive.
o Other disciplines include Last-In-First-Out (LIFO), Priority Queue, and
Random Selection.
4. State Variables:
o Queue Length: Number of customers waiting in line.
o Server Status: Whether the server is busy or idle.
o Time: Current time in the simulation.
Simulation Steps
1. Initialization:
o Set initial conditions (e.g., empty queue, idle server, time = 0).
2. Event List Management:
o Maintain a list of events (e.g., customer arrival, service completion).
3. Event Handling:
o Arrival Event:
 Generate next arrival time and add to event list.
 If server is idle, start service immediately; else, customer joins the
queue.
o Service Completion Event:
 Remove customer from server.
 If queue is not empty, start service for the next customer.
4. Time Advancement:
o Advance the simulation clock to the next event time.
5. Performance Metrics Collection:
o Track metrics such as total wait time, queue length, and server utilization.
 6. Repeat:
o Continue processing events until a termination condition is met (e.g.,
simulation end time).
Example Flowchart
1. Start 2. Initialize System State
 Queue Length = 0
 Server Status = Idle
 Time = 0
 Generate first arrival event
3. Process Events
 Arrival Event:
o If Server is Idle:
 Begin Service
 Schedule Service Completion Event
o Else:
 Increment Queue Length
o Schedule Next Arrival Event
 Service Completion Event:
o If Queue Length > 0:
 Decrement Queue Length
 Begin Service for Next Customer
 Schedule Next Service Completion Event
o Else:
 Server Status = Idle
4. Record Statistics
5. Check Termination Condition
 If simulation time is complete, end simulation
6. Repeat
7. End