Ascend is a simulation project about how elevators decide where to go next in multi-floor buildings.
It models real elevator logic, the way they respond to up/down calls, manage multiple requests, and pick the best next stop, using C/C++ and finite state machines (FSMs).
The goal is to explore how real-time, event-driven systems work, and how FSMs can make that logic more modular and maintainable. It’s also a way to practice code generation and structured system design in C++.
Modern elevators don’t just go to the nearest floor. They make decisions based on direction, waiting time, and system load.
Ascend aims to capture that decision-making process in a simplified but realistic way.
The project teaches or demonstrates:
- How to build event-driven simulations
- How to design and implement FSM-based logic
- How to auto-generate FSM code from simple definitions
- How to balance optimization and simplicity in algorithms
A Finite State Machine (FSM) describes a system that can be in one of several states, changing from one to another when certain events happen.
In other words:
Idle → MovingUp → DoorOpen → Idle
Ascend doesn’t just use FSMs, it generates them.
It can read external .fsm files and turn them into C++ code, so the elevator’s behavior can be redefined without editing the main program.
That makes it part simulator, part code generator.
Phase 1 — Basic Simulation
- Floors, elevators, and event sequence
- Simple optimization (nearest elevator selection)
Phase 2 — FSM Integration
- Define elevator behavior through FSM files
- Add FSM Generator module (
.fsm→.h/.cpp) - Log state transitions
Phase 3 — Advanced Features
- Multiple elevator coordination
- Time-based (tick-driven) simulation
- Event queue and asynchronous handling
- Terminal visualization (ASCII UI or ncurses)
Phase 4 — Extras (Experimental)
- Adaptive/learning elevator logic
- Configurable parameters from JSON/INI
- Optional GUI or web interface
Phase 4 introduces significant enhancements to the Ascend simulation, focusing on configurability, intelligence, and user interaction:
- Configurable Parameters (JSON/INI): The simulation now reads its parameters (number of floors, elevators, simulation steps, etc.) from a
config.jsonfile. This allows for easy customization of simulation scenarios without recompiling the code. - Adaptive/Learning Elevator Logic: The elevator system incorporates basic adaptive logic. During simulated "peak hours," idle elevators are intelligently repositioned to the ground floor to anticipate and efficiently handle increased traffic.
- Optional GUI or Web Interface: In addition to the terminal-based UI, a new web interface is available. This provides a graphical representation of the simulation state, accessible via a web browser, offering a more intuitive and remote monitoring experience.
For more detailed information on how to use and develop Ascend, please refer to the following documentation:
Here’s the current top-level structure of the system:
