Petri nets in dynamic process planning

A framework for combining Petri Nets with Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) systems is presented. The Petri Nets are used to provide realtime facility status information while the CAPP system is used to generate the revised process plans. Combining these two methodologies overcomes most of the weaknesses with the traditional CAPP systems. The result is a dynamic, realtime CAPP system.     

Product-form and stochastic Petri nets: a structural approach

Stochastic Petri nets (SPNs) with product-form solution are nets for which there is an analytic expression of the steady-state probabilities with respect to place markings, as it is the case for product-form queueing networks with respect to queue lengths. The most general kind of SPNs with product-form solution introduced by Coleman et al. (and denoted here by -nets) suffers a serious drawback: the existence of such a solution depends on the values of the transition rates. Thus since their introduction, it is an open question to characterize -nets with product-form solution for any values of the rates. A partial characterization has been obtained by Henderson et al. However, this characterization does not hold for every initial marking and it is expressed in terms of the reachability graph. In this paper, we obtain a purely structural characterization of -nets for which a product-form solution exists for any value of probabilistic parameters of the SPN and for any initial marking. This structural characterization leads to the definition of -nets (Stochastic Parametric Product-form Petri nets). We also design a polynomial time (with respect to the size of the net structure) algorithm to check whether a SPN is a -net. Then, we study qualitative properties of -nets and -nets, the non-stochastic versions of -nets and -nets: we establish two results on the complexity bounds for the liveness and the reachability problems, which are central problems in Petri nets theory. This set of results complements previous studies on these classes of nets and improves the applicability of product-form solutions for SPNs.     

A compositional dataflow semantics for Petri nets

We give a semantics for place/transition nets, which describes the input/out-put behaviour using fixed point techniques. The semantics is shown to be compositional w.r.t. the net operators parallel composition, feedback and output merging. We prove consistency with the step sequence semantics and thus give an equivalent operational semantics.This work was partially supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, SFB 342     

A reasoning algorithm for high-level fuzzy Petri nets

We introduce an automated procedure for extracting information from knowledge bases that contain fuzzy production rules. The knowledge bases considered here are modeled using the high-level fuzzy Petri nets proposed by the authors in the past. Extensions to the high-level fuzzy Petri net model are given to include the representation of partial sources of information. The case of rules with more than one variable in the consequent is also discussed. A reasoning algorithm based on the high-level fuzzy Petri net model is presented. The algorithm consists of the extraction of a subnet and an evaluation process. In the evaluation process, several fuzzy inference methods can be applied. The proposed algorithm is similar to another procedure suggested by Yager (1983), with advantages concerning the knowledge-base searching when gathering the relevant information to answer a particular kind of query     

Scheduling analysis of FMS: An unfolding timed Petri nets approach

We are interested in Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) scheduling problem. Different methods have been explored to solve this problem and mainly to master its combinatorial complexity: NP-hard in the general case. This paper presents an analysis of the cyclic scheduling for the determination of the optimal cycle time and the minimization of the Work In Process (WIP). Especially, the product ratio-driven FMS cyclic scheduling problem using timed Petri nets (TPN) unfolding is described. In addition, it has been proved that the Basic Unit of Concurrency (BUC) is a set of the executed control flows based on the behavioral properties of the net. Using our method, one could divide original system into some subnets based on machine's operations using BUC and analyze the feasibility time in each schedule. Herein, our results showed the usefulness of transitive matrix to slice off some subnets from the original net, and explained in an example.     

Principles and engineering of process control with Petri nets

Event-related control is considered in which process and related process control can be described by states and transitions that can be represented concisely by a Petri net (PN). Both process and related process control systems are event-related, causal, and concurrent and define a special type of PN using a few primitives that are assembled to form a net for which structural and dynamic invariants apply. The PNs can be used for a general approach to event-related process control in simulating, checking, debugging, and stating the quantitative deviations from the ideal solution for any given process control system. The technique can be applied to continuous or discrete processes, and provides formal checks at all development stages. It allows for components with nonideal behavior and yields numerical performance criteria. The invariants allow the PN to be structured in such a way that even complex process control systems become manageable. Examples are presented for the control tasks in an electrical substation     

A Petri nets semantics for data flow networks

This work presents a truly concurrent operational semantics for nondeterministic data flow networks. We introduce a model, the df-process, which is a notion similar to that of non-sequential process for a Petri net: a df-process is defined as a mapping from an occurrence net K to a data flow net N, such that the places and the transitions of K are mapped onto the channels and the nodes of N. A df-process contains, by means of some labelling of the places, information on the value and the order in which data flow through the channels during a computation. Df-processes for a data flow network are characterized in an abstract way by a set of properties and in general a df-process corresponds to a set of computations of the network. We give a way to build the df-process corresponding to a computation incrementally at each event occurrence: a main result of the paper is that the incremental construction yields exactly the same set of df-processes as abstractly defined. We also show that df-processes are compositional. The model is intended to be used by distributed systems designers: it contains enough information to be a guideline for the designer and to be a base to develop dynamic checking tools. We outline how df-processes can be used in the design phase of a system.Research supported in part by Progetto Coordinato CNR ANATRA     

基于Petri网的流程挖掘算法设计与应用

讨论了利用Petri网对应用系统日志进行建模和分析的方法,给出一个日志过滤、简化及转换模型的方法,提出了一个基于Petri网的专家挖掘算法,其中专家是指对某个业务流程特别熟练的人.以广州地铁法律咨询流程为例,介绍了该流程的建模和模型的简化算法.使用该算法可以有效的对操作人员进行评估和考核,有利于资源的合理配置.最后,以法律咨询流程日志为基础进行了实验,实验结果表明,算法认准率达90%以上,且通过模型简化可有效减低算法时间复杂度.     

A modified reachability tree approach to analysis of unbounded Petri nets.

Reachability trees, especially the corresponding Karp-Miller's finite reachability trees generated for Petri nets are fundamental for systematically investigating many characteristics such as boundedness, liveness, and performance of systems modeled by Petri nets. However, too much information is lost in a FRT to render it useful for many applications. In this paper, modified reachability trees (MRT) of Petri nets are introduced that extend the capability of Karp-Miller's FRTs in solving the liveness, deadlock, and reachability problems, and in defining or determining possible firing sequences. The finiteness of MRT is proved and several examples are presented to illustrate the advantages of MRT over FRT.     

An integrated,generic approach to pattern mining: data mining template library

Frequent pattern mining (FPM) is an important data mining paradigm to extract informative patterns like itemsets, sequences, trees, and graphs. However, no practical framework for integrating the FPM tasks has been attempted. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of the Data Mining Template Library (DMTL) for FPM. DMTL utilizes a generic data mining approach, where all aspects of mining are controlled via a set of properties. It uses a novel pattern property hierarchy to define and mine different pattern types. This property hierarchy can be thought of as a systematic characterization of the pattern space, i.e., a meta-pattern specification that allows the analyst to specify new pattern types, by extending this hierarchy. Furthermore, in DMTL all aspects of mining are controlled by a set of different mining properties. For example, the kind of mining approach to use, the kind of data types and formats to mine over, the kind of back-end storage manager to use, are all specified as a list of properties. This provides tremendous flexibility to customize the toolkit for various applications. Flexibility of the toolkit is exemplified by the ease with which support for a new pattern can be added. Experiments on synthetic and public dataset are conducted to demonstrate the scalability provided by the persistent back-end in the library. DMTL been publicly released as open-source software (), and has been downloaded by numerous researchers from all over the world.     

The impact of ICT on intermodal transportation systems: A modelling approach by Petri nets

The paper addresses the issues of modelling and managing Intermodal Transportation Systems (ITS) at the operational level, considering the impact of the new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). ITS are regarded as discrete event systems and are modelled in a timed Petri net framework. In order to show the efficiency of the ITS modelling and controlling technique, the case study of the ferry terminal of Trieste (Italy) is considered. The results show that the approach can be employed to verify the potential of ICT for efficient real time management of ITS, and their impact on the ITS infrastructures.     

Implementing compositionality for stochastic Petri nets

An implementation of compositionality for stochastic well-formed nets (SWN) and, consequently, for generalized stochastic Petri nets (GSPN) has been recently included in the GreatSPN tool. Given two SWNs and a labelling function for places and transitions, it is possible to produce a third one as a superposition of places and transitions of equal label. Colour domains and arc functions of SWNs have to be treated appropriately. The main motivation for this extension was the need to evaluate a library of fault-tolerant “mechanisms” that have been recently defined, and are now under implementation, in a European project called TIRAN. The goal of the TIRAN project is to devise a portable software solution to the problem of fault tolerance in embedded systems, while the goal of the evaluation is to provide evidence of the efficacy of the proposed solution. Modularity being a natural “must” for the project, we have tried to reflect it in our modelling effort. In this paper, we discuss the implementation of compositionality in the GreatSPN tool, and we show its use for the modelling of one of the TIRAN mechanisms, the so-called local voter. Published online: 24 August 2001     

基于对象的扩展Petri网协同设计过程分析

针对协同设计中任务的执行流程缺乏柔性,不利于分析实际设计过程的现状,提出一种单元调用变迁对与决策变迁相集成的基于对象的扩展Petri网,扩展了Petri网的可达图以适应分析OEPNs模型.采用OEPNs中的过程网和单元阿对协同设计过程楚模,利用模型中的单元调用变迁对和决策变迁对过程本身和可能状态进行分析.最后与相关的研究工作进行比较并给出了结论.     

Reduction rules for time Petri nets

The goal of net reduction is to increase the effectiveness of Petri-netbased real-time program analysis. Petri-net-based analysis, like all reachabilitybased methods, suffers from the state explosion problem. Petri net reduction is one key method for combating this problem. In this paper, we extend several rules for the reduction of ordinary Petri nets to work with time Petri nets. We introduce a notion of equivalence among time Petri nets, and prove that our reduction rules yield equivalent nets. This notion of equivalence guarantees that crucial timing and concurrency properties are preserved.     

应急预案流程的Petri网建模方法研究

为了提高应急信息系统模型的语义基础,提出了一种基于Petri网的应急预案流程的建模方法。以ABC模型为上位本体建立了应急预案流程本体,提出了应急预案流程的Petri网建模过程,并定义了应急预案流程中本体和层次Petri网的映射规则。使用该方法对某公路桥梁抢修应急预案流程进行Petri网建模,并通过仿真分析验证了建模方法的有效性。     

A systematic approach for performance assessment using process mining

Software performance engineering is a mature field that offers methods to assess system performance. Process mining is a promising research field applied to gain insight on system processes. The interplay of these two fields opens promising applications in the industry. In this work, we report our experience applying a methodology, based on process mining techniques, for the performance assessment of a commercial data-intensive software application. The methodology has successfully assessed the scalability of future versions of this system. Moreover, it has identified bottlenecks components and replication needs for fulfilling business rules. The system, an integrated port operations management system, has been developed by Prodevelop, a medium-sized software enterprise with high expertise in geospatial technologies. The performance assessment has been carried out by a team composed by practitioners and researchers. Finally, the paper offers a deep discussion on the lessons learned during the experience, that will be useful for practitioners to adopt the methodology and for researcher to find new routes.     

A protocol modeling and verification approach based on aspecification language and Petri nets

An approach for automated modeling and verification of communication protocols is presented. A language that specifies the input/output behavior of protocol entities is introduced as the starting point of the approach, and verification of the linguistic specifications is discussed. Rules for conversion of the specifications into a Petri net model (based on a timed Petri net) are presented and illustrated by examples. This leads to a second level of verification on the net model. The approach is illustrated by its application to a part of the LAPD protocol     

A log mining approach for process monitoring in SCADA

SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems are used for controlling and monitoring industrial processes. We propose a methodology to systematically identify potential process-related threats in SCADA. Process-related threats take place when an attacker gains user access rights and performs actions, which look legitimate, but which are intended to disrupt the SCADA process. To detect such threats, we propose a semi-automated approach of log processing. We conduct experiments on a real-life water treatment facility. A preliminary case study suggests that our approach is effective in detecting anomalous events that might alter the regular process workflow.