Definition
The Simulation Clock is the mechanism used to manage and track the progression of time within a simulation, particularly in sequential and discrete event models.
Why It Matters
The simulation clock is the ‘engine of time’ in M&S; it allows us to compress years of data into seconds of execution, providing the ‘future vision’ needed to test long-term strategies before they are implemented.
Core Concepts
- Event-Based Time Jumps: In Discrete Event Simulation (DES), the clock does not move continuously but “jumps” from the time of the current event to the time of the next event in the Future Event List (FEL).
- Sequential Execution: The clock ensures that events (Arrival, Service, Departure) are processed in the correct chronological order.
- Time Compression/Expansion: A key advantage of M&S, allowing the simulation clock to run much faster or slower than real-world time to analyze long-term trends or granular mechanics.