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Batch simulations

The SEAMCAT's Batch function allows automation of repetitive compatibility studies by scheduling several SEAMCAT simulations to be done in one run of the programme. This is done by setting up a simulation schedule with instructions on how to change certain variable scenario input parameters in several consecutive simulations.

In principle, the batch function is somewhat similar to using the Translation mode in Interference Calculation Engine (ICE), where it is possible to see the impact of changing one of the three input parameters on the final probability of interference. However, while the Translation mode has only three pre-defined input parameters that may be subject to change, the batch function allows modification of any input parameter and does not limit the number of those parameters subject to change. This is because the batch function re-runs all the simulation (starting from event generations in EGE) completely each time when batch parameter(s) is/are changed. However, this also means that the total calculation time will be equal to the sum of all the individual simulations for each scheduled job on the batch list.

One typical example of using SEAMCAT batch functionality would be to perform multiple simulations in order to study interference probability on identical scenarios with only small frequency changes between them.

Batch functionality can be started through command Batch Operation in the Tools menu, and does not require any workspace to be open/selected.

First a new Batch is created by clicking Add:

After specifying the name of new batch, the edit batch window will open:

This window is divided in two parts: Edit batch members and Parameters.

• The upper part (Edit batch members) contains the list of batch jobs or workspaces to be simulated in batch. This is also where results will be shown.
• The lower part of dialog window (Parameters) displays the variable batch parameters for the batch job selected in the upper part. In SEAMCAT 3 there is no limit to the number of batch parameters, and the parameters do not need to be pre-selected. By clicking the Add button on the top right it is possible to add a new batch job.

Clicking this button will pop up a dialogue that allows user to add either a new workspace created based on current default workspace or workspace previously saved on disk.

After adding a batch job, a line will appear in the top part of the window. This line gives immediate access to the configuration of interference calculation parameters. By selecting either Victim or Interferer(s) on the right, and then clicking Modify the entire scenario can be configured as in stand-alone simulation.

Clicking/highlighting a particular job line will activate the batch job and the bottom section Parameters will display all scenario parameters. The user can then scroll through the list of parameters and select one or more parameters that would be varied in a given job run. Once highlighted in the list, the parameter is selected and added to the list batch job parameters by pressing the Add button to the right.

After adding a batch parameter a line with its name and old-new values will appear in the lowest section. The user then can double click the new value and modify it as wished. A batch can contain an arbitrary number of batch jobs, each containing an arbitrary number of batch parameters. After completing the list of batch parameters and setting their values to be used in the given batch job, the user may add a new job to the list in the upper section by using Add or Duplicate buttons. The Add button may be used when the new batch job would much differ from the previous and Duplicate option is very convenient when the background scenario and list of batch parameters remains essentially the same between the simulations, and only the values of those batch parameters changing.

This procedure may be repeated an unlimited number of times by adding new simulations to the batch schedule until the intended variation of input parameters is fully covered by all entries in the batch job list in the upper part. After completing the batch list, the simulations may be started locally on the user PC by pressing the button Start batch simulation or it may be sent for processing at the remote server by pressing Send batch to server.

In the first case the programme will display a progress window and at the end of the progress the user will see that in the batch window, the column of probability of interference became populated with the calculated values of probability of interference:

The user may then choose option View report, which will provide the detailed results of simulations in the desired format, which could also be saved into a separate file. Results can then also reset to start the new calculation (e.g. after changing some of the parameters or adding new job runs).

In case of sending the batch to the remote server, the batch window will be closed at the end of the submission process and after the server completed the simulations and user has received e-mail notification, user will be able to download the results and review them through launching the Batch function again and selecting the relevant batch. The given batch will have memorised the fact of submitting job to the remote server and appropriate button will be provided to download the results.