Photios G. Ioannou

EZStrobe Description

EZStrobe is a discrete-event simulation system based on extended and annotated Activity Cycle Diagrams (ACD). It uses Stroboscope as its simulation engine and thus follows the Three-Phase Activity Scanning simulation paradigm, as well. An EZStrobe simulation model is represented completely by a graphical ACD network, like the earthmoving example shown below, whose nodes (queues, combi activities, normal activities and forks) and links (connecting lines indicating the flow of resources) are built using drag-and-drop graphics from the EZStrobe Stencil. The complete logic of an EZStrobe model is represented entirely by the ACD network and is visible at all times. All links are annotated to show the start-up conditions for activities and the routing of resources. The initial contents of Queues are shown on the network. All resources are of the predefined "generic type" "ezs" (similar to "tokens"). Thus, EZStrobe models cannot define and use "characterized resources" or "compound resources" (i.e., distinct objects). Also, EZStrobe models cannot employ complex logic that requires Stroboscope statements. All logic must be defined solely through the graphical network elements (nodes and links) and their annotations.

EZStrobe is implemented entirely in Visio VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and runs within Microsoft Visio. Given a graphical network, like the earthmoving example shown above, EZStrobe creates the equivalent model using Stroboscope statements and sends it to Stroboscope to perform the simulation. This automation is completely hidden from the user. Thus, learning and using EZStrobe does not require any knowledge or use of the Stroboscope language directly. The results of an EZStrobe simulation are shown in Stroboscope's output window. They are also shown in Visio by right clicking each node.

EZStrobe Network Animation

A unique capability of EZStrobe is ACD network animation. EZStrobe can animate the nodes and links of a network dynamically, as the simulation runs, and show the movement of resources and their interaction with queues and activities. An example of animation is shown by the above screenshot for the earthmoving model and the EZStrobe Simulation Controller below: At simulation time 23.5... activity Load ends (red outline), activity Haul starts (blue outline), and one resource unit flows through the link that connects them (bold link line).

EZStrobe --- Ideal System for Learning Simulation

EZStrobe's power and capabilities, i.e., drag-and-drop model building, visual network-based logic, and ACD network animation, make EZStrobe ideal as a learning tool and as an introductory general-purpose discrete-event simulation system.

EZStrobe vs UM-Cyclone

EZStrobe uses generic resources (like UM-Cyclone) and is capable of modeling very complex operations that do not require the use of characterized (i.e., object-like) resources or compound (i.e., container-like) resources. When compared to UM-Cyclone, EZStrobe is by far the preferred alternative. It is much more powerful, and at the same time, easier to learn and use.

EZStrobe Installation and Tutorial

EZStrobe is included automatically with the installation of Stroboscope. Instructions on how to get started with EZStrobe are available at the EZStrobe Tutorial page.

Stroboscope, EZStrobe, ProbSched, Vitascope and Vitascope++ are based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. 9733267, No. 0113890, and No. 0732560. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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