Model decomposition and simulation: a component based qualitative simulation algorithm

Traditionally, qualitative simulation uses a global, state-based representation to describe the behavior of the modeled system. For larger, more complex systems this representation proves extremely ineffi-cient since it provides a complete temporal ordering of all potential distinctions leading to a large, complex behavioral description that obscures relevant distinc-tions, or even fails to terminate. The model decomposition and simulation algorithm (DecSIM) uses a divide and conquer approach to qualitative simulation. Variables within the system are partitioned into components. Each component is viewed as a separate system and is simulated using a state-based representation limited to the variables within the component. Interactions between compo-nents are reasoned about separately. DecSIM provides a promising paradigm for qualitative simulation whose complexity is driven by the complexity of the prob-lem specification rather than the inference mechanism used