Abstract
The task of interfacing sub-simulators in a co-simulation often remains difficult, tedious, and prone to error. Here, we describe how this process, and the validation of the resulting interface connections, can be made simpler, faster, and more reliable. Especially when, as is often the case, several individuals or teams collaborate on modeling and simulating a full system. This is achieved by grouping functional mock-up interface (FMI) variables into types close to the relevant engineering domains using semantics formalized as an ontology. Several benefits, we argue, are gained from this: clearer communication, increased validation potential, and reduced number of interface connections to deal with. The validity and the limitations of our approach are demonstrated with a detailed case study of a real maritime system: A dynamic positioning (DP) hardware controller connected to several independent co-simulation models via 156 variables in 78 connections. The proposed solution greatly reduces the complexities and the error potential related to interfacing such systems. All results including reference implementations are openly available through the open simulation platform.