Automatic construction of systems of distributed components from nested Petri nets models

Multi-level multi-agent systems (MASs) with dynamic structure are widely used in solving important applied problems in telecommunication, transportation, social, and other systems. Therefore, ensuring correct behavior of such systems is an actual and important task. One of the most error-prone stages of system development in the framework of model-oriented approach is the implementation stage, in the course of which a program code is constructed based on the model developed. This paper presents an algorithm for automated translation of MAS models represented as nested Petri nets into systems of distributed components. Nested Petri nets are the extension of Petri nets in the framework of the nets-within-nets approach, which assumes that tokens in a Petri net may themselves be Petri nets, possess autonomous behavior, and interact with other tokens of the net. This makes it possible to model MASs with dynamic structure in a natural way. The translation presented in this paper preserves distribution level and important behavioral properties (safety, liveness, and conditional liveness) of the original model and ensures fairness of the target system execution. The use of such translation makes it possible to automate construction of distributed MASs by models of nested Petri nets. As a test example, translation of nested Petri nets into systems of distributed components was implemented on the basis of the EJB component technology.     

Petri net representation of multi-valued logical regulatory graphs

Relying on a convenient logical representation of regulatory networks, we propose a generic method to qualitatively model regulatory interactions in the standard elementary and coloured Petri net frameworks. Logical functions governing the behaviours of the components of logical regulatory graphs are efficiently represented by Multivalued Decision Diagrams, which are also at the basis of the translation of logical models in terms of Petri nets. We further delineate a simple strategy to sort trajectories through the introduction of priority classes (in the logical framework) or priority functions (in the Petri net framework). We also focus on qualitative behaviours such as multistationarity or sustained oscillations, identified as specific structures in state transition graphs (for logical models) or in marking graphs (in Petri nets). Regulatory circuits are known to be at the origin of such properties. In this respect, we present a method that allows to determine the functionality contexts of regulatory circuits, i.e. constraints on external regulator states enabling the corresponding dynamical properties. Finally, this approach is illustrated through an application to the modelling of a regulatory network controlling T lymphocyte activation and differentiation.     

Synergistic modelling of tasks,users and systems using formal specification techniques

This paper aims at clarifying the articulation between the task models and system models encountered in CHI design practices. We demonstrate how the use of a formal task model may enhance the design of interactive systems, by providing quantitative results on which designers may base their decisions. We also demonstrate that it is possible to describe both task and system models within the same formal framework. This enables us firstly to formally prove that task and system models comply with each other, and secondly to perform quantitative analysis on the combination of task and system models. The approach is illustrated by a toy example which, despite its small size, allows us to develop both task and device models, and to perform several iterations of the design process. The device and tasks are modelled using the Interactive Cooperative Objects (ICO) formalism, which is based on Petri nets and on the object-oriented approach. The formality of Petri nets allows for axiomatic validation of isolated and interacting subsystems.     

Automating the Conversion of Colored Petri Nets with Qualitative Tokens Into Colored Petri Nets with Quantitative Tokens

The authors describe an algorithm for conversion of colored Petri nets with qualitative tokens into a colored Petri net with quantitative tokens preserving boundedness, mutual exclusion, and liveness properties. This conversion allows the invariance method to be applied to colored Petri nets, which uses the Truncated Set of Solutions finding algorithm for Petri net state equations expressed through systems of linear homogenous Diophantine equations. To show the algorithm’s efficiency, it is applied to the colored Petri net that models the operation of a grid system. Equivalence of net models is tested by constructing and analyzing equal finite-state machine.     

Toward the use of Petri nets for the formalization of OWL-S choreographies

In this paper, we present a Petri net-based approach for modeling the choreography of semantic Web services which are described following the OWL-S specification. In our approach, each control construct of the OWL-S choreography is represented through a Petri net pattern that captures formally its operational semantics. The main difference between our work and the main proposals that model the semantics of OWL-S services choreography is that, although both approaches represent the service choreography with Petri nets, our proposal is also concerned with the practical execution of the Petri nets by the client. Therefore we also represent the flow of data, the outputs transformations, the effects in the environment, in addition to the structures that control the choreography of the services in our Petri net models. The implementation of the OWL-S choreography is performed in a Petri net ontology-based engine. This is another difference with traditional approaches that only use Petri nets for the analysis of the service properties. Furthermore, the use of an underlying ontology engine for supporting both the domain models of OWL-S services and the Petri net models provides several advantages in terms of reasoning, extension, and reuse.     

运输机器人行为建模的Petri网方法

针对建立运输机器人的精准行为模型所遇到的新困难,提出采用含禁止弧Petri网（PN）建立其行为模型。运输机器人行为有耦合、制约、异步等特点,采用含禁止弧的行为交互Petri网元模型以及token流动控制机制建模其行为。通过LabVIEW2012及Robotics模块,将Petri网模型转化为LabVIEW程序,在运输机器人平台进行行为验证。结果实现了运输机器人的行为与交互逻辑,具有行为辨识、决策与执行能力。验证了含禁止弧Petri网为运输机器人的行为建模提供了一种适用方法,建立的Petri网模型为运输机器人的相关行为设计提供模型参考。     

A Survey of Petri Net Methods for Controlled Discrete Event Systems

This paper surveys recent research on the application of Petri net models to the analysis and synthesis of controllers for discrete event systems. Petri nets have been used extensively in applications such as automated manufacturing, and there exists a large body of tools for qualitative and quantitative analysis of Petri nets. The goal of Petri net research in discrete event systems is to exploit the structural properties of Petri net models in computationally efficient algorithms for computing controls. We present an overview of the various models and problems formulated in the literature focusing on two particular models, the controlled Petri nets and the labeled nets. We describe two basic approaches for controller synthesis, based on state feedback and event feedback. We also discuss two efficient techniques for the on-line computation of the control law, namely the linear integer programming approach which takes advantage of the linear structure of the Petri net state transition equation, and path-based algorithms which take advantage of the graphical structure of Petri net models. Extensions to timed models are briefly described. The paper concludes with a discussion of directions for future research.     

State equation, controllability, and maximal matchings of petri nets

Petri nets are a versatile modeling device for studying the structure and control of concurrent systems. Petri nets and related graph models have been used for modeling a wide variety of systems from computers to social systems. In order to introduce this interesting modeling device to the researcher in control theory, this paper discusses Petri nets in the context of the state equation for a linear discrete-time system. The controllability concept of dynamic systems is applied to Petri nets for the first time. It is also shown that the controllability and reachability of a Petri net are related to maximal matchings of its bipartite graph.     

An urban traffic network model via coloured timed Petri nets

This paper deals with modelling of traffic networks (TNs) for control purposes. A modular framework based on coloured timed Petri nets (CTPNs) is proposed to model the dynamics of signalized TN systems: places represent link cells and crossing sections, tokens are vehicles and token colours represent the routing of the corresponding vehicle. In addition, ordinary timed Petri nets model the signal timing plans of the traffic lights controlling the area. The proposed modelling framework is applied to a real intersection located in Bari, Italy. A discrete event simulation of the controlled intersection validates the model and tests the signal timing plan obtained by an optimization strategy presented in the related literature.     

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。     

Petri net-based process monitoring: a workflow management system for process modelling and monitoring

Nowadays business process management is becoming a fundamental piece of many industrial processes. To manage the evolution and interactions between the business actions it is important to accurately model the steps to follow and the resources needed by a process. Workflows provide a way of describing the order of execution and the dependencies between the constituting activities of business processes. Workflow monitoring can help to improve and avoid delays in industrial environments where concurrent processes are carried out. In this article a new Petri net extension for modelling workflow activities together with their required resources is presented: resource-aware Petri nets (RAPN). An intelligent workflow management system for process monitoring and delay prediction is also introduced. Resource aware-Petri nets include time and resources within the classical Petri net workflow representation, facilitating the task of modelling and monitoring workflows. The workflow management system monitors the execution of workflows and detects possible delays using RAPN. In order to test this new approach, different services from a medical maintenance environment have been modelled and simulated.     

模拟实时系统的点区间优先级时间Petri网与TCTL验证

时间Petri网为实时系统提供了一种形式化的建模方法, 时间计算树逻辑(TCTL)为描述实时系统与时间相关的设计需求提供了一种逻辑化的表达方式, 因此基于时间Petri网的TCTL模型检测广泛应用于实时系统的正确性验证.然而对于一些涉及优先级的实时系统, 例如多核多任务实时系统, 这里不仅需要考虑任务之间的时间约束还要考虑任务执行的优先级以及引入优先级带来的抢占式调度问题, 致使相应的建模和分析变得更加困难.为此, 本文提出了点区间优先级时间Petri网, 通过在时间Petri网上定义变迁发生的优先级以及变迁的可挂起性, 从而可以模拟实时系统的抢占式调度机制, 即首先高优先级的任务抢占低优先级的任务所占用的资源, 导致后者被中断, 然后前者执行完毕后释放资源, 最后后者再次获得资源从中断的地方恢复.本文通过点区间优先级时间Petri网来模拟多核多任务实时系统, 使用TCTL来描述它们的设计需求, 设计了相应的模型检测算法, 开发了相应的模型检测器以验证它们的正确性.我们通过一个实例来说明我们的模型和方法的有效性.     

Queueing Petri nets with product form solution

The product form results recently published for stochastic Petri nets are combined with the well-known product form results for queueing networks in the model formalism of queueing Petri nets yielding the class of product form queueing Petri nets. This model class includes stochastic Petri nets with product form solution and BCMP queueing networks as special cases. We introduce an arrival theorem for the model class and present an exact aggregation approach extending known approaches from queueing networks.     

Modelling and performance analysis of multi-hop ad hoc networks

Mobile ad hoc networks are becoming very attractive and useful in many kinds of communication and networking applications. Due to the advantage of numerical analysis, analytical modelling formalisms, such as stochastic Petri nets, queuing networks and stochastic process algebra have been widely used for performance analysis of communication systems. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous analytical study that analyses the performance of multi-hop ad hoc networks, where mobile nodes move according to a random mobility model in terms of the end-to-end delay and throughput. This work presents a novel analytical framework developed using stochastic reward nets for modelling and analysis of multi-hop ad hoc networks, based on the IEEE 802.11 DCF MAC protocol, where mobile nodes move according to the random waypoint mobility model. The proposed framework is used to analyse the performance of multi-hop ad hoc networks as a function of network parameters such as the transmission range, carrier sensing range, interference range, number of nodes, network area size, packet size, and packet generation rate. The proposed framework is organized into several models to break up the complexity of modelling the complete network, and make it easier to analyse each model as required. The framework is based on the idea of decomposition and fixed point iteration of stochastic reward nets. The proposed models are validated using extensive simulations.     

Modelling automated manufacturing systems using a modification of coloured petri nets

Automated manufacturing systems (AMS) are a class of systems exhibiting concurrency, asynchronicity and distributedness, and can be modelled using Petri nets. The advantage of using Petri nets is that they provide graphical models, with formal methods of analysis. However, graphical representation of Petri net models becomes difficult even for medium-sized systems since such graphs tend to become inconveniently large. Coloured Petri nets (CPN) are a variant which enables a more concise representation with the same modelling power. This paper develops a model for simulation of AMS whose correctness can be formally established, and which can be graphically represented and visually understood. It presents a modelling approach for AMS, based on a modified version of CPN, with enhanced modelling power. The proposed modifications result in highly compact graphical representations, and also render the model dynamic, i.e. capable of changing dynamically to reflect currently selected system parameters. These features make the proposed model ideally suited for discrete event simulation.     

基于Gillespie算法的生化随机Petri网演化分析

Petri网既有严格的数学表达方式,又有直观的图形描述形式,是当前生物化学系统模拟和定性分析的一个有力工具。作为标准Petri网的一个重要扩展,随机Petri网使得可以定量地分析生物化学系统。建立了两个典型的生物化学系统的随机Petri网模型：Schlogl系统和转录调控系统,并使用Gillespie随机仿真算法模拟了这些生化随机Petri网模型的状态演化。     

Synthesis a Petri net based control model for a FMS cell

Petri nets have been recognised as a high level formal and graphical specification language for modelling, analysis, and control of concurrent asynchronous distributed systems. This paper presents a PN model, synthesised by an extended version of the knitting synthesis technique. This method, as an incremental design approach, establishes the conditions under which the fundamental behavioural properties of the synthesised systems are fulfilled and preserved. That is, the synthesised models are live, bounded, and reversible (cyclic). A Petri net with the aforementioned properties is called a well-behaved Petri net system which is guaranteed to operate in a deadlock-free, stable, and cyclic fashion. Well-behaved Petri net models, synthesised using the proposed method can be compiled into control codes and implemented as real-time controllers for flexible manufacturing systems. The significance of this paper is due to the application of an extended version of knitting synthesis technique to a real life example of a flexible manufacturing system.     

Knowledge intensive Petri net framework for concurrent intelligent design of automatic assembly systems

The integration of design and planning of flexible assembly system has been recognized as a tool for achieving efficient assembly in a production environment that demands assembly with a high degree of flexibility. This paper proposes a concurrent intelligent approach and framework for the design of robotic flexible assembly systems. The principle of the proposed approach is based on the knowledge Petri net formalisms, incorporating Petri nets with more general problem-solving strategies in AI using knowledge-based system techniques. The complex assembly systems are modeled and analyzed by adopting a formal representation of the system dynamic behaviors through knowledge Petri net modeling from the specifications and the analysis of those models. A template is first defined for a knowledge Petri net model, and then the models for assembly system individuals are established in the form of instances of the template. The design of assembly systems is implemented through a knowledge Petri net-based function–behavior–structure model. The research results show that the proposed knowledge Petri net approach is applicable for design, simulation, analysis and evaluation, and even layout optimization of the flexible assembly system in an integrated intelligent environment. The integration of assembly design and planning process can help reduce the development time of assembly systems.