Serialization-Oriented Data Layout for Distributed and Real-Time Agent-Based Simulation

Data transfer efficiency is a frequent bottleneck of distributed (co-)simulations and X-in-the-loop systems. One of the key reasons, particularly in Agent-Based Simulation (ABS), is related to the low serialization performance caused by non-optimal data layout in memory. To address these challenges, this paper explores the potentials of a Serialization-oriented Data Layout (SoDaLa) approach for ABS building on Data Oriented Design (DOD) principles. In this work we also introduce ABS_M, a model-based abstraction of memory access in ABS. Using this model, we evaluate the impact of SoDaLa. This is done also to promote the adoption of SoDaLa and to ease the assessment of data layout strategies prior to full implementation in an existing codebases. The results indicate that our proposed approach enhances serialization efficiency and highlights the trade-offs between serialization efficiency and simulation performance across different model specifics and hardware conditions.