Model Predictive Control for Discrete-Event Systems with Soft and Hard Synchonization Constraints

Abstract

Max-plus-linear models can be used to model discrete-event systems with only synchronization and no con currency. The synchronization constraints in max-plus-linear discrete-event systems are hard, i.e., they cannot be broken under any circumstance. We consider a class of discrete-event systems with both hard and soft synchronization constraints, i.e., if necessary, some synchronization conditions may be broken, but then a penalty is incurred. We show that — after introducing control variables — this leads to a max-plus-bilinear model. Furthermore, we also show how the model predictive control (MPC) framework can be extended to this class of discrete-event systems.