Framework for modeling and analysis of distributed problem-solving systems

Petri nets have the basic concepts necessary to model distributed systems with asynchronous processes. Petri nets are not directly applicable to certain kinds of systems like distributed intelligent systems (DISs). These are complex systems where multiple intelligent agents cooperate through communication to achieve the solution to a problem. The paper identifies the limitations of ordinary Petri nets for modeling DISs and proposes extensions. The extended Petri net incorporates colored tokens, inhibition arcs, non-primitive places and transitions, multiple copies of tokens and cumulative places. It is called a distributed problem-solving Petri net. The definitions and analysis techniques are given and illustrated by means of an example.     

Possibilistic Petri nets

This paper presents the possibilistic Petri net model which combines possibility logic with Petri nets with objects. The main feature of this model is to allow one to reason about the aspects of uncertainty and change in dynamic discrete event systems. The paper presents relevant concepts of Petri nets with objects and possibility logic and how imprecision and vagueness are introduced in the marking of a Petri net with objects. The marking of a net is imprecise, or in a more general way, fuzzy, in order to represent an ill-known knowledge about a system state. A new marking updating according to the fuzzy marking such defined is also discussed. An example of shop door monitoring is presented that illustrates our approach.     

Modeling production configuration using nested colored object-oriented Petri-nets with changeable structures

Configuring production processes based on process platforms has been well recognized as an effective means for companies to provide product variety while maintaining mass production efficiency. The production processes of product families involve diverse variations in manufacturing and assembly processes resulted from a large variety of component parts and assemblies. This paper develops a multilevel system of nested colored object-oriented Petri nets with changeable structures to model the configuration of production processes. To capture the semantics associated with production configuration decisions, some unique modeling mechanisms are employed, including colored Petri nets, object-oriented Petri nets, changeable Petri net structures, and net nesting. The modeling formalism comprises resource nets, manufacturing nets, assembly nets and process nets. The paper demonstrates how these net definitions are applied to the specification of production process variants at different levels of abstraction. Also reported is a case study in an electronics company. The system model is further analyzed with focus on conflict prevention and deadlock detection.     

随机时间Petri网综述

随机时间Petri网作为一种灵活有力的建模机制,被广泛应用于计算机和通信系统的性能与可靠性评价。综述了随机时间Petri网各主要予类的发展历程与研究现状。首先介绍了随机时间Petrl网的一些基本概念,然后回顾了广义随机Petri网,简要总结了处理状态空间爆炸问题的主要途径,讨论了非马尔科夫随机Petri网及其分析技术,最后详细分析了流体随机Petri网。     

Petri net models for the semi-automatic construction of large scale biological networks

For the implementation of the virtual cell, the fundamental question is how to model and simulate complex biological networks. During the last 15 years, Petri nets have attracted more and more attention to help to solve this key problem. Regarding the published papers, it seems clear that hybrid functional Petri nets are the adequate method to model complex biological networks. Today, a Petri net model of biological networks is built manually by drawing places, transitions and arcs with mouse events. Therefore, based on relevant molecular database and information systems biological data integration is an essential step in constructing biological networks. In this paper, we will motivate the application of Petri nets for modeling and simulation of biological networks. Furthermore, we will present a type of access to relevant metabolic databases such as KEGG, BRENDA, etc. Based on this integration process, the system supports semi-automatic generation of the correlated hybrid Petri net model. A case study of the cardio-disease related gene-regulated biological network is also presented. MoVisPP is available at .     

Modeling of reconfigurable manufacturing systems based on colored timed object-oriented Petri nets

To cope with the rapid change in manufacturing market requirements, reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) with the feature of reconfigurability, have to be developed. A model that describes the reconfiguring process of a manufacturing system is developed by applying colored timed object-oriented Petri nets. Based on the main difference between configurations of RMSs and flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs), a modular hierarchical structure of RMS is developed. By the object-oriented method, all the object classes in the RMS model are identified. A macro-place is used to model the aggregation of many processes and a macro-transition is used to link all the related macro-places. Macro-places and macro-transitions are connected with arcs to form a Petri net named a macro-level Petri net so that the control logic of RMS is represented. The macro-level Petri net is refined by hierarchical steps, each step describing these macro-places by more detailed sub macro-places until all the macro-places cannot be divided. Then the characteristics of material flow and time constraints in RMS are modeled by applying colored tokens and associated time-delay attributes. This model integrates object-oriented methods, stepwise refinement ideas and Petri nets together. The RMS activities can be encapsulated and modularized by the proposed method, so that RMS can be easily constructed and investigated by the system developers.     

The Algebraic Framework for Object-Oriented Systems

Category Theory is introduced as the mathematical model for object-oriented systems which are distributed, heterogeneous, real-time, embedded, and open-ended. Each object can be represented as an algebra. A collection of algebras with morphisms form a category if they satisfy some conditions. After a brief introduction of categorical concepts which are needed to formulate the framework for object-oriented systems, they are explicated in terms of objects. Then some system design methodologies such as SADT, JSD, MASCOT 3, OOD, HOOD, MOON, ADM 3, and Petri nets are examined in the categorical framework and classified into four groups: functional, process-based, object-oriented, and net-based. Combining theoretical and practical results, the interactive system design tool OBJ-NET is briefly introduced.     

Modeling and performance evaluation of supply chains using batch deterministic and stochastic Petri nets

Batch deterministic and stochastic Petri nets are introduced as a tool for modeling and performance evaluation of supply chains. The new model is developed by enhancing deterministic and stochastic Petri nets (DSPNs) with batch places and batch tokens. By incorporating stochastic Petri nets (SPNs) with the batch features, inhibitor arcs, and marking-dependent weights, operational policies of supply chains such as inventory policies can be easily described in the model. Methods for structural and performance analysis of the model are developed by extending existing ones for DSPNs. As applications, an inventory system and an industrial supply chain are modeled and their performances are evaluated analytically and by simulation, respectively, using this BSPN model. The applications demonstrate that our model and associated methods can solve some important supply chain modeling and analysis issues. Note to Practitioners-This paper was motivated by the problem of performance analysis and optimization of supply chains but it also applies to other discrete event systems where materials are processed in finite discrete quantities (batches) and operations are performed in a batch way because of batch inputs and/or in order to take advantages of the economies of scale. Existing Petri net modeling and analysis tools for such systems ignore their batch features, making their modeling complicated. This paper suggests a new model called batch deterministic and stochastic Petri nets (BDSPNs) by enhancing deterministic and stochastic Petri nets with batch places and batch tokens. Methods for structural and performance analysis of the model are developed. We then show how an inventory system and a real-life supply chain can be modeled and their performances can be evaluated analytically and by simulation respectively based on the model. The model and associated analysis methods therefore provide a promising tool for modeling and performance evaluation of supply chains.     

基于扩展混合Petri网的晶圆制造系统建模

提出了一种扩展的面向对象混合Petri网（EOHPN）的建模方法：针对晶圆制造系统的复杂性，在EOHPN模型中融入了面向对象的抽象机制；为了减少系统建模的复杂性，引入混合Petri网并用面向对象建模技术作了扩展。在定义EOHPN模型的基础上，作了对象模型的拓展。用实例描述了基于EOHPN的晶圆制造系统的建模过程，验证了模型在处理系统建模时的有效性。     

基于面向对象Petri网的工作流建模及性能分析

工作流技术作为一种过程建模和过程管理的核心技术,在计算机应用领域获得了迅速的发展。介绍了工作流技术;提出了将面向对象建模技术融入Petri网模型所形成的面向对象Petri网,并讨论了建立基于面向对象Petri网的工作流模型的步骤;运用面向对象Petri网建立了某制造企业的产品方案处理流程的工作流模型,并运用性能等价公式对工作流模型的性能进行了分析。     

神光III控制系统的故障建模与分析

应用混合随机Petri网对神光III控制系统的故障进行了建模,并应用Visobj Net对建立的故障模型进行了仿真分析。网络化控制系统是一个离散和连续相结合的混合动态系统,具有动态、并发及同步等特征;神光III控制系统就是网络化控制技术在武器装备上的一个典型应用;对于复杂系统的建模和分析,Petri网是一个非常有效的工具。Petri网已经被证明是离散事件或异步系统很好的建模和分析工具,混合随机Petri网是Petri网的一个扩展,具有强大的建模功能。仿真结果表明,所建立的模型是正确的。     

Modellierung überbetrieblicher behandlungsprozesse durch objekt-petrinetze

Clinical processes are often performed by the cooperation of different healthcare organization. But even that for modeling of such processes the object Petri nets can be used, they often lack of intuitive comprehensibility. This contribution presents an interpretation of object Petri nets which assigns abstract net elements to real objects of the healthcare domain. By doing this it helps domain user to apply this Petri net type to the modeling of clinical processes. The application of this approach is demonstrated.     

An object-oriented approach to formally analyze the UML 2.0 activity partitions

Nowadays, UML is the de-facto standard for object-oriented analysis and design. Unfortunately, the deficiency of its dynamic semantics limits the possibility of early specification analysis. UML 2.0 comes to precise and complete this semantics but it remains informal and still lacks tools for automatic validation. The main purpose of this study is to automate the formal validation, according a value-oriented approach, of the behavior of systems expressed in UML. The marriage of Petri nets with temporal logics seems a suitable formalism for translating and then validating UML state-based models. The contributions of the paper are threefold. We first, consider how UML 2.0 activity partitions can be transformed into Object Petri Nets to formalize the object dynamics, in an object-oriented context. Second, we develop an approach based on the object and sequence diagram information to initialize the derived Petri nets in terms of objects and events. Finally, to thoroughly verify if the UML model meets the system required properties, we suggest to use the OCL invariants exploiting their association end constructs. The verification is performed on a predicate/transition net explored by model checking. A case study is given to illustrate this methodology throughout the paper.     

生化网络的随机Petri网建模与分析

细胞的行为是随机性的,学习细胞中的随机性有助于理解细胞的组织,设计和进化。建立、确认和分析随机的生化网络模型是当前计算系统生物学领域的一个重要研究主题。当前,标准的Petri网模型已经成为生化网络模拟和定性分析的有力工具。尝试使用随机Petri网对生化网络进行建模与分析,简单描述了随机Petri网理论对标准Petri网的扩充,通过对二聚作用和肌动蛋白这两个典型例子的建模与演化模拟,介绍、论证了随机Petri网理论的新应用。     

面向对象的Petri网建模技术的研究

将面向对象的概念引入到Petri网建模技术中，对网进行分类与抽象，给对象模型的消息和方法赋予新的含义，并将Petri网扩展成具有输入与输出的开放式系统，从而形成了面向对象的Petri网建模技术（简称OPNe技术）。给出的OPNet建模技术的一般方法具有较大的实际意义。     

A Petri net model for integrated process and job shop production planning

In this paper a new Petri net class (Chameleon systems) for modeling and analyzing joined process planning and job shop production planning is proposed based on the multi-level Petri net model introduced by Valk (1995). Chameleon system is a High-level Petri net extended with time that consists of a High-level Petri net modeling the workshop which is called system net and ordinary Petri net modeling the jobs and setups which act as tokens of the system net and therefore are called token nets. Process plans of the jobs are partial orders of operation groups and alternatives. The uncertainty of operation duration is captured by a new time model. The advantages of this new modeling approach are the following: (i) a modular construction of the joined process and job shop planning is allowed, (ii) classical known Petri net analysis methods can be applied and (iii) the analysis can be done at different levels of abstraction.     

基于自控网系统的混杂控制

混杂控制系统通常是复杂的非线性控制系统,难以用统一的模型进行建模. David和Alla提出的混杂Petri网,虽然可以解决一般混杂系统的建模问题,并得到了广泛的应用,但对于传统的如PID这类控制器,缺乏统一建模的能力.探讨了基于广义自控网系统的混杂控制方法,实现了对混杂控制器中监控器和数字控制器进行统一的Petri网建模.仿真实例设计了基于广义同步自控网系统的电加热炉控制系统,给出了可根据不同温度状态实施多种控制策略的变结构数字控制器模型,并详细分析了控制器的性能,证明了广义自控网系统具有十分强大的建模能力和广泛的应用前景.     

基于面向对象时间Petri网的智能电商物流服务系统建模

电商物流服务系统是一种集商流、物流、信息流和资金流于一体的大规模复杂系统,具有离散事件动态系统的一般特征。将面向对象技术与Petri网相结合,引入时间因素,应用于大规模复杂信息系统建模上,不仅能降低系统模型复杂度,还可以针对模块性能做定量分析。在分析研究电商物流服务系统主要功能和Petri网理论的基础上,给出了一种面向对象时间Petri网（OOTPN）的形式定义,描述了电商物流服务系统的主要对象和业务流程,采用面向对象时间Petri网构建了电商物流服务系统的OOTPN模型,分析了子网的相关时间特性,利用可覆盖性树、关联矩阵对子网的可达性、有界性、守恒性等性质进行了分析,证明了模型系统的可靠性和健壮性,体现了OOTPN模型具有模块化、图形化、结构化特点和可扩展、可重用、易于维护等特性。     

基于PETRI网的工作流模型分析与应用

目前,工作流的建模和分析工具有很多,由于Petri网具有坚实的理论基础和易于使用的图形表示,因而是一种理想的建模和分析工具。论文着重讨论基于Petri网的工作流模型的分析技术,对其基本的过程和所涉及的问题进行了分析,尤其对模型正确性的判定等问题,进行了详细的阐述。在文章最后,将给出一个应用的实例:全国高校网上招生录取系统。