A Framework of Discrete-Event Simulation Modeling for Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) in Airline Industry

Prognostics and system health management (PHM) conceptually integrates the advanced sensing and signal processing technology to predict the occurrence time of faults in the airline industry. A discrete-event logistics system (DELS) simulation model provides an effective way to evaluate overall performance by modeling the system behaviors. However, when taking PHM into account, the DELS model would be more complicated, and there lacks related research on how to establish a DELS model fulfilling PHM requirement. This paper proposes a framework of establishing such models incorporating PHM disciplines. With the prognostic horizon and remaining useful life estimation, the maintenance and logistics preparations are brought in advance, splitting the system model into two parallel lines. A combination of maintenance and logistics strategies is proposed in the dimensions of spare delivery and maintenance plan, respectively. The temporal sequential relations for the strategies are exploited, in detail, showing how the two parallel lines coordinate. The quantitative metrics for system utility, as well as the costs factors, are investigated. Finally, the framework is implemented and tested with the case of an airline network with an all-round performance evaluation for decision making.