Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Integrated software platforms'

Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня доктора технічних наук за спеціальністю 05.13.05 – комп'ютерні системи та компоненти (123 – комп’ютерна інженерія). – Національний технічний університет "Харківський політехнічний інститут", Міністерство освіти і науки України, Харків, 2020. Дисертаційна робота присвячена вирішенню актуальної науково-прикладної проблеми підвищення оперативності процесу передачі інформації в комп'ютерних системах (КС) на інтегрованих програмних платформах (ІПП) на основі розробки математичного апарату синтезу інформаційних структур. Проведено аналіз стану проблеми, показано, що одночасно із збільшенням обсягів інформації, яка передається в КС, та підвищенням вимог до оперативності передачі інформації все більше застосовуються інтегровані програмні платформи, внаслідок чого якісно і кількісно змінюються структура і характер інформаційних потоків, що суттєво впливає на інформаційні структури комп’ютерних систем та призводить до зниження показників оперативності. Проведено аналіз існуючих вимог до сучасних програмних платформ комп'ютерних систем та переваг та недоліків централізованих, розподілених та комбінованих програмних платформ. На основі аналізу сформульовані загальні вимоги до необхідного складу програмних продуктів платформи та підтримуючих їх апаратних засобів базової мережі комп'ютерної системи;проведений аналіз показав доцільність використання інтегрованих програмних платформ для відомчих комп’ютерних систем; доведена необхідність збільшення оперативності обробки транзакцій у базових мережах комп’ютерних систем, котрі використовують інтегровані програмні платформи, що можна зробити за рахунок використання специфічних властивостей таких платформ, синтезуючи інформаційну структуру комп'ютерної системи. Розроблено комплекс взаємопов’язаних моделей інформаційної структури комп’ютерної системи та технічної структури базової мережі, який враховує особливості інтегрованої програмної платформи і базується на стратифікованому представленні основних складових моделей, що дозволяє враховувати інформаційні взаємозв’язки між складовими комп'ютерної системи та підвищити ступінь адекватності моделей. Розроблено комплекс методів оперативного перерозподілу інформаційних потоків в базовій мережі комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі, який враховує динаміку розвитку комп'ютерної системи і характерні особливості базової мережі, та базується на оперативній реконфігурації системи віртуальних каналів зв'язку, що дозволяє зменшити середню затримку пакетів. Розроблено комплекс методів синхронізації інформаційної структури комп'ютерної системи з обчислювальними ресурсами вузлів базової мережі, який враховує як інформаційні зв'язки між завданнями комп'ютерної системи, так і використання композитних застосунків, та базується на адаптивному підході до знаходження раціонального розподілу завдань між вузлами мережі, що дозволяє оперативно провести синхронізацію, орієнтовану на зменшення витрат обчислювального ресурсу та підвищення оперативності передачі інформації. Удосконалено метод статичного розподілу інформаційних потоків за маршрутами у базовій мережі комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі, який відрізняється від відомих використанням процедури ітеративного балансування навантаження вузлів мережі, що дозволяє зменшити витрати обчислювального ресурсу. Удосконалено метод формування інформаційної структури підвищеної надійності у комп'ютерній системі на інтегрованій програмній платформі, який відрізняється від відомих одночасним розподілом інформаційних потоків по всіх основних і альтернативних маршрутах базової мережі, що дає змогу у разі виникнення відмови будь-якого вузла мережі продовжити обробку транзакцій комп'ютерної системи без суттєвого зменшення показників якості обслуговування (QoS) та без зміни інформаційної структури. Дістав подальшого розвитку метод оптимізації інформаційної структури комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі за рахунок використання на етапі розподілу навантаження інформаційних вузлів математичного апарату генетичних алгоритмів, що дозволяє зменшити часові витрати на синтез інформаційної структури та сформувати збалансоване навантаження на вузли базової мережі. Дістав подальшого розвитку метод вибору оптимального плану виконання транзакцій комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі за рахунок введення динамічної функції штрафу за перевищення часових показників, орієнтованої на специфіку інтегрованої програмної платформи, та шкалування часового періоду, що дозволяє зменшити часові витрати при проведенні оперативних змін плану виконання транзакцій. Дістав подальшого розвитку комплекс методів обробки запитів до сховища даних комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі за рахунок створення єдиного дискового пулу та врахування особливостей доступу до хмарних компонент сховища даних, що дозволяє включати до сховища розподілені гетерогенні компоненти та зменшити час виконання застосунків, які виконують запити транзакцій комп’ютерної системи на обмін інформацією із сховищем даних. Розроблені на основі запропоованих моделей та методів інженерні методи та алгоритми дають змогу: – виконати моделювання інформаційної структури комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі та її базової комп'ютерної мережі; – оптимізувати інформаційну структуру комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі та розподіл інформаційних потоків за маршрутами у базовій мережі; – підвищити показники оперативності завдань комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі до 10%; – зменшити витрати обчислювального ресурсу базової мережі комп'ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі до 5%; – зменшити витрати на експлуатацію комп’ютерної системи на інтегрованій програмній платформі на до 10%; – розширити корисну ємність сховища даних за рахунок включення гетерогенних складових та хмарних компонент. Проведена порівняльна оцінки розроблених та існуючих моделей та методів синтезу інформаційних структур комп'ютерних систем на інтегрованих програмних платформах, за результатами якої доведено ефективність запропонованих методів. Зокрема, проведена оцінка ефективності підсистеми забезпечення дистанційного навчання комп'ютерної системи технічного вишу. Також наведені результати комплексного застосування запропонованих методів при формуванні проекту комп'ютерної системи управління виробничими структурами аеропорту, де за рахунок підвищення оперативності передачі інформації були досягнуті вимоги замовника щодо граничного рівня значення ймовірності виконання часових меж для оперативних транзакцій КС при зростанні завантаження базової мережі.
Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences in the specialty of 05.13.05 – ComputerSystems and Components (123 – Computerengineering). – National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv, 2020. The thesis is devoted to solving actual scientific and technical problem of increasing the efficiency of the information transfer process in computer systems on integrated software platforms. It is based on the development of a mathematical apparatus (mathematical models and methods) for the synthesis of information structures. The analysis of the problem state was carried out. It was revealed that, simultaneously with the increase in the volume of transmitted information in the computer system and the increased requirements for the speed of information transmission, integrated software platforms are increasingly used. As a result, the structure and nature of information flows change qualitatively and quantitatively. This significantly affects the information structures of computer systems and leads to a decrease in efficiency indicators. An analysis of the existing requirements for modern software platforms of computer systems has been carried out. Advantages and disadvantages of centralized, distributed and combined software platforms are highlighted. Based on the analysis, general requirements for the necessary composition of platform software products are formulated. The requirements for the hardware of the core network of the computer system supporting them are also formulated. The analysis showed the feasibility of using integrated software platforms for departmental computer systems. The necessity of increasing the efficiency of transaction processing in the basic networks of computer systems has been proven. Those that use integrated software platforms can be done by using the specific properties of such platforms. This is due to the synthesis of the information structure of the computer system. A complex of interrelated models of the information structure of the computer system and the technical structure of the basic network has been developed. It takes into account the peculiarities of the integrated software platform. The complex is based on a stratified representation of the main constituents of the models. This allows you to take into account the informational relationships between the components of the computer system. It also allows increasing the degree of model adequacy. A set of methods foroperational redistribution of information flows in the basic network of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been developed. This complex takes into account the dynamics of the development of a computer system and the characteristic features of the underlying network. It is based on the operational reconfiguration of the virtual communication channel system. This helps to reduce the average packet delay. A set of methods for synchronizing the information structure of a computer system with the computing resources of the nodes of the basic network has been developed. The complex, which has been developed, takes into account information links between the tasks of a computer system and the possibility of using composite applications. This complex is based on an adaptive approach to finding a rational distribution of tasks between network nodes. The complex allows you to quickly synchronize. Synchronization is focused on reducing the cost of computing resources and increasing the efficiency of information transfer. The method of distribution of information flows along routes in the basic network of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been improved. The method differs from the known ones by using iterative load balancing of hosts. This is what makes it possible to reduce the cost of computing resources. The method of forming an information structure of increased reliability in a computer system on an integrated software platform has been improved. This method differs from the known ones by the simultaneous distribution of information flows along all the main and alternative routes of the core network. This allows, in the event of a failure of any network node, to continue processing transactions of the computer system. The computer system will operate without a significant decrease in service quality indicators and without changing the information structure. The method of optimizing the information structure of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been further developed. The method is based on the use of the mathematical apparatus of genetic algorithms. This device is used at the stage of load distribution of information nodes. This makes it possible to reduce the time spent on synthesizing the information structure and to form a balanced load on the nodes of the core network. The method of selecting an optimal plan for executing transactions of a computer system on an integrated software platform was further developed. A dynamic penalty function was introduced for exceeding time indicators. It is focused on the specifics of the integrated software platform and time scaling. This allows you to reduce the time spent on operational changes to the transaction execution plan. The complex of methods for processing requests to the data storage of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been further developed. A single disk pool was created. The peculiarities of access to the cloud components of the data warehouse were taken into account. This allows distributed heterogeneous components to be included in repositories. It also reduces the execution time of applications that access data warehouse components. The engineering methods and algorithms which has been developed on the basis of the offered models and methods allow: - simulate the information structure of the computer system on an integrated software platform and its basic computer network; - optimize the information structure of the computer system on an integrated software platform and the distribution of information flows along routes in the core network; - increase the operational efficiencyof computer system tasks on an integrated software platform by up to 10%; - reduce the costs of the computing resource of the basic network of a computer system on an integrated software platform up to 5%; - reduce the exploitational cost of a computer system on an integrated software platform by up to 10%; - expand the useful capacity of the data storage by including heterogeneous components and cloud components. Comparative assessment of developed and existing models and methods of synthesis information structures of computer systems on an integrated software platforms was carriedout. Based on the results that were obtained, the effectiveness of the proposed methods was proved. In particular, an assessment of the effectiveness of the subsystem for providing distance learning of the computer system in a technical university was carried out. The results of the integrated application of the proposed methods in the formation to the project of a computer system managing for the production structures of the airport are also presented. Where by increasing the transaction efficiency of information, the customer's requirements were achieved. They were executed relative to the limit of the probability of time bounds.This was done for operational transactions of the computer system with an increase in the load of the basic network.

Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня доктора технічних наук за спеціальністю 05.13.05 – комп'ютерні системи та компоненти. – Національний технічний університет "Харківський політехнічний інститут", Міністерство освіти і науки України, Харків, 2020. Дисертаційна робота присвячена вирішенню актуальної науково-прикладної проблеми підвищення оперативності процесу передачі інформації в комп'ютерних системах (КС) на інтегрованих програмних платформах (ІПП) на основі розробки математичного апарату синтезу інформаційних структур. Проведено аналіз стану проблеми. Зі збільшенням обсягів інформації, яка передається в КС, та підвищенням вимог до оперативності її передачі, все більше застосовуються ІПП. Це суттєво впливає на інформаційні структури КС та призводить до зниження показників оперативності. Розроблено комплекс взаємопов’язаних моделей інформаційної структури КС та технічної структури базової мережі, який дозволяє враховувати інформаційні взаємозв’язки між складовими КС та підвищити ступінь адекватності моделей. Розроблено комплекс методів оперативного перерозподілу інформаційних потоків в базовій мережі КС на ІПП, який дозволяє зменшити середню затримку пакетів. Розроблено комплекс методів синхронізації інформаційної структури КС з обчислювальними ресурсами вузлів базової мережі, що дозволяє оперативно провести синхронізацію, орієнтовану на зменшення витрат обчислювального ресурсу та підвищення оперативності передачі інформації. Удосконалено метод статичного розподілу інформаційних потоків за маршрутами у базовій мережі КС на ІПП. Удосконалено метод формування інформаційної структури підвищеної надійності у КС на ІПП, що дає змогу у разі виникнення відмови будь-якого вузла мережі продовжити обробку транзакцій комп’ютерної системи без суттєвого зменшення показників якості обслуговування та без зміни інформаційної структури. Дістав подальшого розвитку метод оптимізації інформаційної структури КС на ІПП за рахунок використання на етапі розподілу навантаження інформаційних вузлів математичного апарату генетичних алгоритмів, що дозволяє зменшити часові витрати на синтез інформаційної структури та сформувати збалансоване навантаження на вузли базової мережі. Дістав подальшого розвитку метод вибору оптимального плану виконання транзакцій КС на ІПП за рахунок введення динамічної функції штрафу за перевищення часових показників. Дістав подальшого розвитку комплекс методів обробки запитів до сховища даних КС на ІПП за рахунок створення єдиного дискового пулу та врахування особливостей доступу до хмарних компонент сховища даних.
Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences in the specialty of 05.13.05 – Computer Systems and Components. – National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv, 2020. The thesis is devoted to solving actual scientific and technical problem of increasing the efficiency of the information transfer process in computer systems on integrated software platforms. It is based on the development of a mathematical apparatus (mathematical models and methods) for the synthesis of information structures. The analysis of the problem state was carried out. It was revealed that, simultaneously with the increase in the volume of transmitted information in the computer system and the increased requirements for the speed of information transmission, integrated software platforms are increasingly used. As a result, the structure and nature of information flows change qualitatively and quantitatively. This significantly affects the information structur es of computer systems and leads to a decrease in efficiency indicators. A complex of interrelated models of the information structure of the computer system and the technical structure of the basic network has been developed. It takes into account the peculiarities of the integrated software platform. The complex is based on a stratified representation of the main constituents of the models. This allows you to take into account the informational relationships between the components of the computer system. It also allows increasing the degree of model adequacy. A set of methods for operational redistribution of information flows in the basic network of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been developed. This complex takes into account the dynamics of the development of a computer system and the characteristic features of the underlying network. It is based on the operational reconfiguration of the virtual communication channel system. This helps to reduce the average packet delay. A set of methods for synchronizing the information structure of a computer system with the computing resources of the nodes of the basic network has been developed. The complex, which has been developed, takes into account information links between the tasks of a computer system and the possibility of using composite applications. This complex is based on an adaptive approach to finding a rational distribution of tasks between network nodes. The complex allows you to quickly synchronize. Synchronization is focused on reducing the cost of computing resources and increasing the efficiency of information transfer. The method of distribution of information flows along routes in the basic network of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been improved. The method differs from the known ones by using iterative load balancing of hosts. This is what makes it possible to reduce the cost of computing resources. The method of forming an information structure of increased reliability in a computer system on an integrated software platform has been improved. This method differs from the known ones by the simultaneous distribution of information flows along all the main and alternative routes of the core network. This allows, in the event of a failure of any network node, to continue processing transactions of the computer system. The computer system will operate without a significant decrease in service quality indicators and without changing the information structure. The method of optimizing the information structure of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been further developed. The method is based on the use of the mathematical apparatus of genetic algorithms. This device is used at the stage of load distribution of information nodes. This makes it possible to reduce the time spent on synthesizing the information structure and to form a balanced load on the nodes of the core network.The method of selecting an optimal plan for executing transactions of a computer system on an integrated software platform was further developed. A dynamic penalty function was introduced for exceeding time indicators. It is focused on the specifics of the integrated software platform and time scaling. This allows you to reduce the time spent on operational chang es to the transaction execution plan. The complex of methods for processing requests to the data storage of a computer system on an integrated software platform has been further developed. A single disk pool was created. The peculiarities of access to the cloud components of the data warehouse were taken into account. This allows distributed heterogeneous components to be included in repositories. It also reduces the execution time of applications that access data warehouse components.

Diploma thesis is about creation of support software integrated into gaming system. Thanks to non-existence of documentation of chosen gaming information system, untraditional method of software creation had to be used. The method is described by this thesis. Main objective of the thesis is creation of supporting application that generates aggregated data, stores it to a data warehouse and presents it to its users. All of this development is done using defined method. Thesis is divided in two main parts. The first one contains analysis of gaming information system. This analysis is used in the second part of the thesis, which describes how was the developed software designed and implemented. All analysis in the thesis are important part of the final product development and the product can be created thanks to them. Created application is unique in its domain and brings view at an untraditional development of this support software. Thanks to its uniqueness, created software can help with inspiration for next development in this domain.

In the area of indoor built environment modelling, the main focus was usually put on the accuracy of the modelled equipment within the given environment. There was not enough attention placed on the modelling of occupants inside the building, who represent the ultimate end?users and should be the most important element of an indoor built environment model. This deficiency was mainly due to the difficulties of modelling human behaviour with the traditional mathematical modelling methods usually adopted in the field. Therefore, in order to model the occupants more effectively, a more appropriate alternative approach is needed. This thesis examined the suitability of agent?based modelling and simulation (ABMS) for the indoor built environment. Philosophies of ABMS for the built environment were discussed, with the natural flow of progression stages in indoor built environment models outlined and explored, showing the need for switching a problem of simplicity to one in which a complex organised system was defined. Scenarios of single active agent case in ABMS for indoor built environment were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, with the finding that ABMS was versatile in modelling different types of occupants. It provided an illustration of the difference between people with different sensation time, and estimated energy savings between occupants with varied understanding of the environment. A classification scheme for different types of indoor built environment models with different levels of complexities was proposed and discussed. Based on the classification scheme, models with different levels of complexities were applied to the same building to explore the feasibility and practicality of the scheme. It was found that the simulation results provided insightful figures on probable energy consumption for different types of occupants and their crowd behaviour when interactions between occupants were considered. Findings included the amount of energy saved (around 10%) by a knowledgeable occupant over a less informed one, and the tendency for the majority (?66%) of occupants trying to save energy by assessing the environment themselves under different conditions. To further assist building management and the implementation of ABMS approach in built environment for simulations, the concepts of geographic information system (GIS) were modified for applications in the indoor environment, based on its similarity with ABMS for a grid?based environment. A prototype program was developed to test the applicability of the proposed concepts, with OPC connectivity for connections to real?world equipment. It was found that the idea of indoor GIS helps to solve problems such as the facility layout problem or the difficulties of information storage/retrieval in facility management, and this concept also integrated well with ABMS. With the successful modelling of different types of occupants and simulation results consistent with real data, it can be concluded from the work that ABMS is a promising approach for future generations of indoor built environment models. Also, with the inspiring framework of indoor GIS, the combination of ABMS and GIS in an integrated platform will certainly bring a powerful tool to the field.
published_or_final_version
Mechanical Engineering
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

Optical communications systems operate at the limits of their margins to respond to increasing capacity demands. Some of the signal processing functions required must soon operate at speeds beyond electronic implementation. Optical signal processors are fundamentally analog which requires precise control of the operating state. Programmable optical components are consequently essential. The thesis explores and elucidates the properties of meshes of generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometers (GMZIs) amenable to silicon (Si) photonics integration that are based on multimode interference couplers with programmability achieved via voltage controlled phase-shift elements within the interferometer arms to perform a variety of finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) signal processing functions. The thesis presents a novel class of integrated photonic phased array systems with a single-stage, multistage, and feedback architectures. The designed photonic integrated systems utilize nano-electromechanical-system (NEMS) operated phase shifters of cascaded free suspended slot waveguides that are compact and require a small amount of power to operate. The structure of the integrated photonic phased array switch (IPPAS) elements is organized such that it brings the NEMS-operated phase shifters to the exterior sides of the construction; facilitating electrical connection. The transition slot couplers used to interconnect the phase shifters to the rest of the silicon structure are designed to enable biasing one of the silicon beams of each phase shifter from an electrode located at the side of the phase shifter. The other silicon beam of each phase shifter is biased through the rest of the silicon structure of the fabric, which is taken as a ground. Phased array processors of 2×2 and 4×4 multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) ports are conveniently designed within reasonable footprints native to the current fabrication technologies. The response of the single-stage 4×4 broadband IPPAS element is determined, and its phase synthesis states required for single-throw, double-throw and broadcast routing operations are predicted. The transmission responses of the single-stage wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) processors of 2×2 and 4×4 MIMO ports are simulated. The wavelength steering capability of the transmission interferograms by applying progressive phase shifts through the array of NEMS-operated phase shift elements of the single-stage 4×4 WDM (de)multiplexer is demonstrated. The advantages of cascading broadband and WDM phased array sections are articulated through several study cases. Five different cascaded phased array architectures are trialed for the construction of non-blocking 4×4 IPPAS broadband switches that are essential elements in the construction of universal photonic processors. A cascaded 2×2 WDM (de)multiplexer that can set the bandwidth of the (de)multiplexed cyclic channels into a binary number of programmable values is demonstrated. The envelope and wavelength modulations of the transmission responses utilizing a cascaded forward structure of three 2×2 sections that can be utilized for the (de)multiplexing of different bandwidth channels are demonstrated providing individual wavelength steering capability of the narrowband and wideband channels and the individual wavelength steering capability of the slow envelope and wavelength modulating functions. Innovative universal 2×2 and 4×4 cascaded phased array processors of advanced high-order architectures that can function as both non-blocking broadband routers and tunable WDM (de)multiplexers with spectrum steering and bandwidth control of the (de)multiplexed demands are introduced. The multimode interference (MMI) coupler is utilized for the construction of several IIR feedback photonic processors. Tunable photonic feedback processors have the advantage of using less number of MMI couplers compared to their counterparts of FIR forward-path processors saving on the footprint and loss merits. A passive feedback 2×2 (de)multiplexer made of a 4×4 MMI coupler and two loopback paths is proposed. The inclusion of an imbalance in the lengths of the loopback paths of the same symmetrical feedback (de)multiplexer is demonstrated to achieve wavelength modulation of the (de)multiplexed transmission responses that are useful for the (de)multiplexing of different bandwidth channels. Several newly introduced IIR feedback architectures are demonstrated to function similarly as their counterparts of FIR forward-path processors as binary bandwidth variable (de)multiplexers, envelope and wavelength modulation (de)multiplexers, and universal feedback processors. The investigation provided in this thesis is also supported with dynamic zero-pole evolution analysis in the complex plane of analysis of the studied FIR and IIR photonic processors to enhance understanding the principle of operation. This research expands the prospective for constructing innovative silicon-on-insulator (SOI) based optical processors for applications in modern optical communication systems and programmable elastic optical networks (EONs).

碩士
國立臺北大學
資訊工程學系
102
With the development of cloud computing, it can provide many services through network. Also with the development of virtual technology, we can use virtual machines instead of physical machines to do some research or other usages. In tradition, if we want to create a virtual machine with software, we have to make many virtual machine templates with different software on them. It may waste storage. Therefore, we have proposed system architecture to solve this problem. It can let user easy to create instance and with the automatically installing software, we don’t need to create many virtual machine templates. We believe that this system will save more time and physical resources.

The aim of the thesis was to design and develop a unified application for installation and integration of the software management tools into a single comprehensive and functional unit. The application should also allow export of the project metadata via the RESTful API. The goals of the thesis were fulfilled relatively well. A set of installation scripts was created, as well as a functional web application built using the JavaEE platform. The application can be deployed in a small company after performing minor modifications. Less common deployment scenarios for CGI based applications on Apache Tomcat were also examined. Minor enhancements in the open-source project NetBeans were implemented as well. Also, a branded version of Bugzilla was created and deployed in an existing small software company.

碩士
國立成功大學
工程科學系碩博士班
96
The development of hardware modules and software components are usually separated during the process of developing SoC Platform. There are many discussions about the co-work between software and hardware, but the major goals are the planning during initial period of development. Therefore, we focus on the software/hardware co-simulation during the development process; we propose an emulation system framework for software/hardware co-simulation, using an emulator for emulating embedded platforms, and simulation for hardware description language (HDL). The major goal of the framework is to reduce the modification of the software which can execute on both simulator and real SoC target platform successfully, and we can find the bugs in software/hardware quickly, and pay more attention to the optimization for desired systems.

Abstract Most of the current building simulation tools are the results of funded projects for particular research purposes. Normally, these tools are developed in one research organization and utilized by the organization's own staff rather than by external personnel. Financially and intellectually, it is definitely a huge waste that designers and engineers rarely use those tools while they have to deal with increasingly complex issues and surely need the assistance of building simulation tools in building practice. Therefore, this thesis is dedicated to bringing building simulation closer to practice. The general goal is to promote the usage of simulation tools not only by simulation experts for research purposes but also by designers and engineers in practical work. Abstract Since the well-adopted tool could only be established based on appropriate requirements analysis, attention is firstly devoted to perceiving engineer or practice demands in building design and operation activities. Building multi-criteria analysis, whole life cycle integration, interdisciplinary interaction, control-wise integration/optimization together with the influence of “Industry 4.0” in building discipline are discussed in sequence. This is not only an enumeration of emerging scenarios, but also an exploration to figure out that integrated requirement is of growing significance as buildings are becoming increasingly advanced and complex. Abstract Multi-criteria simulation analysis indicates that designers and engineers need to consider, at least, energy efficiency and initial cost simultaneously; human comfort, environmental impact, life cycle cost are also involved; however, current workflow and cooperation mechanism among different simulation tools could not sufficiently fulfill multi-criteria analysis demand in building design and operation activities. Other detailed discussions on energy and cost integrated simulation, energy and human comfort integrated simulation, control related simulations all indicate one conclusion that building practice is increasingly integrated but simulation ability is still insufficient and isolated. Therefore, related tools must be coordinated and connected from the socio-technical point of view to support building practice eventually. Abstract Recent development in multi-domain modeling language Modelica and Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard has provided an efficient solution for both integration and practical utilization. The ideology of the transfer layer is introduced; open-to-public and free usable framework and associated collaborative mechanisms are proposed. Individual models and tools could be integrated together through co-simulation or model exchange under FMI standard; along with complete and accurate database, the integrated tools could be validated and documented together, then transferred to commercial partners for further improvement, marketing and sale. In such way, a collaborative framework to transfer knowledge from research to practice could be formed in order to sufficiently process integrated requirement issues; the usage of research-oriented tools could be intensified in building industrial practice. Abstract Connection, interoperability, technical standard, and workflow protocol, those general terms for cooperative simulation development are further discussed. Cooperative Modelica library development is taken as an example to illustrate associated problems and their solutions from both detailed technical and generalized socio-technical perspectives. Abstract Individual model quality is a fundamental guarantee for successful cooperative simulation system. Therefore a model comparison project is carried out for quality assurance purpose. First, a series of comparison validation tests are established with a stepwise increased level of complexity. Then, multiple participants with a diversity of simulation tools contribute simulation models and results for listed validation scenarios. During the result comparison process, the deviation is detected, the bug is fixed, the model is improved; cooperative relationship and workflow standard are formed. Abstract In the last, a multi-criteria and interdisciplinary simulation case is conducted as a demonstrated example of actual integrated requirement along with integration and practical utilization effort of simulation. This case aims to select an appropriate energy solution for a building from four alternatives. Traditional HVAC equipment, renewable energy devices, storage facilities are applied and arranged in groups under Demand Side Management strategy and dynamic control. Financial and environmental impacts are also calculated along with the traditional result of annual energy consumption. Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method is applied to analyze the four alternative energy solutions with an overall consideration of energy consumption, energy production, initial cost, life-cycle cost, and CO2 emission.:Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Integrated requirements in building practice Chapter 3 Isolated and insufficient building simulation tools Chapter 4 Practice oriented tool integration and improvement Chapter 5 Cooperative development in Modelica and Annex 60 Chapter 6 Model comparison cooperation Chapter 7 Conclusion and future work