A DIRECT TRANSLATOR FROM NEUTRAL MODEL FORMAT TO THE SPARK SIMULATIONENVIRONMENT

The neutral model format (NMF) provides generic, machine-readable desc riptions of equation-based component models of a physical system in a building description. It is intended to allow model interchange betwee n different simulation environments. The simulation problem analysis a nd research kernel (SPARK) is a simulation environment that generates source and executable code for solving non-linear differential-algebra ic equation systems. It is intended to automate the generation of modu lar, easy to maintain simulation programs. The goal is to generate sim ulation code automatically from NMF models transparently to the user. A translator achieving this goal is described here, which transforms N MF syntax into SPARK syntax using LEX and YACC for parsing and numeric al inversion techniques generating SPARK code. Thus the practicality o f NMF as a common description language for building simulation is demo nstrated for the case of a simulation environment developed independen tly from NMF. The purpose of this paper is to give an account of the e xperience of building a translator from a general model representation format (NMF) to a particular simulation environment. We first present the NMF format, then the SPARK building simulation environment, Then the Ist translator from NMF to SPARK via a computer algebra system is presented, along with examples. That translator being too circuitous, a newer and direct translator is then presented, along with practical examples. Thus are demonstrated the usefulness of the NMF concept and the methodology for building a translator from it to an independently developed simulation environment for building science.