Federated Simulation User Group

Federated Simulation User Group Formed: A New Frontier for Accellera

By Mark Burton, Federated Simulation Standard Working Group Vice Chair

Historically, Accellera has concentrated on developing languages and creating simulation environments tailored to specific applications. However, with critical communication and interoperability between simulation environments becoming necessary, as well as between standards organizations themselves, Accellera has formed the Federated Simulation Users Group (FSUG). This new initiative is a significant advancement toward creating a cohesive simulation ecosystem that can adapt to increasingly complex demands in both hardware and software.

The Federated Simulation Initiative
To bring this vision to life, Accellera introduced the Federated Simulation Working Group earlier this year, tasked with formalizing the standards necessary for efficient cross-communication between simulation environments. This working group is complemented by the Federated Simulation User Group, a community-driven body designed to guide the development of the standard and foster collaborations with other standards organizations. By offering an open structure that includes both Accellera members and non-members, and meeting as frequently as the working group, FSUG encourages a truly federated approach to standardization.

This dual structure of the working and user groups serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it provides a pathway for organizations to join Accellera and contribute to the evolving standard. On the other hand, it creates a technical space for developers and engineers to tackle real-world challenges within this federated ecosystem. In essence, this new approach is designed to align technical solutions with organizational needs, allowing users and stakeholders to collaborate on resolving issues that affect multiple domains and industries.

Defining the Direction of Federated Simulation
Although the Federated Simulation Initiative is still in its early stages, some key directions have already been outlined. For instance, the scope will cover enabling data to be injected/extracted from Virtio interfaces directly into a software stack, as much as connections to GPIO hardware interfaces, enabling hardware in the loop as much as software in the loop.

This direction underscores a major goal of the initiative: to consolidate existing mechanisms into a unified structure. While individually these techniques are well-established, the Federated Simulation Initiative aims to bring them together within a shared ecosystem.

Tackling Synchronization and Domain-Specific Challenges
One of the core challenges the working group faces lies in managing synchronization across diverse simulation environments. Different domains often employ unique synchronization protocols that may not be compatible with one another. While the actual data being transmitted is typically domain-specific, the synchronization mechanisms must be adaptable to various simulation or execution environments. To address this, the working group will invest significant effort into finding and standardizing synchronization strategies that can work seamlessly across different systems.

Looking Ahead: The Role of the Federated Simulation User Group
The Federated Simulation User Group is central to the initiative’s mission. By encouraging open participation and frequent meetings, the FSUG invites insights from a broad community of engineers, developers, and organizations to enrich the standard with real-world experience. Its role in guiding the standard ensures that the direction of federated simulation aligns with the needs of its users, both today and in the future.

As the Federated Simulation Initiative continues to evolve, it holds the potential to redefine how simulation environments work together, allowing for efficient communication across software and hardware boundaries. This vision of unified simulation could streamline the workflows of many industries, setting the stage for future innovations that transcend individual domains and bring standards organizations together in unprecedented ways.

You can find more information on the user group and how to get involved on the Federated Simulation Standard Working Group page.