Computer simulation of cybernetic systems

This paper is concerned with the concepts of the computer simulation of cybernetic systems. Engineers, sociologists, business men, economists, architects and most recently health scientists have found a need for simulating systems so that their behavior may be predicted and finally controlled. This paper points out the importance of simulation and how simulation is carried out. In particular, it discusses the control of man and machine systems which Norbert Wiener and his colleagues at M.I.T. called Cybernetic systems. With regard to man controlled systems, the simulation of a tumer cell in water is considered on an Analog Computer. Particular attention is given to man's direct control of the biological system on the computer and the organization of the differential equations. Also discussed is the simulation of a feedback oscillator having a non-linear active element. This simulation was carried out on both an analog and digital computer. Emphasis is placed on the use of the Hytran Simulation Language (HSL) used in the simulation. To give greater depth to the discussion, a simulation of a traveling repairman is given. This simulation may be applied to health systems also, with some imagination. Although the examples used to demonstrate simulation are in the areas of biology, electronics, and business, there is no reason why these computers cannot be utilized in many other areas from sociology to health. This fact is continually pointed out in the paper with the hope that the reader will create an analogy between those systems considered and his particular system.