Exam Topics MoSIS

Material can be found on the course website.

The questions on the "closed book" (i.e., no course material may be used) exam will be a selection from those given below. Note that some of those questions are "parametrized": they represent a family of questions (as in "explain the semantics of Statechart construct X").

Questions:

1. Causal Block Diagrams [NOT 2020-21]
   
   Example question: explain how algebraic loop detection can give different results at different times i during a discrete-time CBD simulation.

   Example question: Explain how a continuous-time CBD Integrator/Derivative block can be approximated in terms of a discrete-time CBD network.
   

2. Petri Nets
   
   In particular, the different types of analysis one can do on Petri Net models. Above all, how to construct the Coverability Tree !

   Example question: what is the relationship between deadlock and reachability analysis?

   Example question: for the following Petri Net model (given), build the coverability graph and explain whether the system is Ln live.

   Example question: give the algorithm for building a coverability graph (or tree). Explain by means of a small example. What is the difference between a reachability and a coverability graph ?
   

3. Statecharts
   
   Type of question: explain the semantics of Statechart construct X (for example history vs. deep history). The question may also be in the form of a small Statechart of which you need to explain the semantics (behaviour).
   
   
4. DEVS
   
   The formalism, and in particular, the construction of an Atomic DEVS model from a Coupled DEVS model through flattening.

   Example question: describe how to obtain the internal transition function of the flattened version of a coupled DEVS.
   

5. Hierarchy of System Specification [NOT 2020-21]
   
   p. 1 - 9 (NOT Structured Specifications)

   The different levels of system specification and their relationship. In particular, the I/O System specification.

   Example question: give the mathematical structure of the I/O System specification. Explain briefly the various symbols. Explain the constraint the transition function must satisfy.

   Example question: give the mathematical structure of the I/O System specification. Explain briefly the various symbols. Show how an I/O Function can be obtained from this.

6. Forrester System Dynamics [NOT 2020-21]
   

   Explain the System Dynamics workflow.

   What is the semantics of the FSD notation (flows and rates)?