Deadlock detection and resolution in simulation models

Even though simulation models are validated and verified during the development process, a problem known as "deadlock" can still occur and go unnoticed in large, complex simulation models. Of all the commercial simulation languages currently in use, none can currently detect or prevent deadlocks and this can lead to incorrect results and decisions. Unfortunately, a deadlocking situation will not show up as a syntax or run time error since it is a modeling error. The issues related to deadlock detection and resolution in discrete event simulation models are analyzed and an algorithm for detecting deadlocks in simulation models is presented and illustrated with examples. Issues related to deadlock resolution are also discussed.