New Software Tool for Modeling and Control of Discrete-Event and Hybrid Systems Using Timed Interpreted Petri Nets

Erik Kučera,Peter Drahoš,Juraj Štefanovič,Ján Cigánek,Oto Haffner,Roman Leskovský

doi:10.3390/app10155027

Erik Kučera, Peter Drahoš + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/app10155027

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Abstract

For the development of modern complex production processes in Industry 4.0, it is appropriate to effectively use advanced mathematical models based on Petri nets. Due to their versatility in modeling discrete-event systems, Petri nets are an important support in creating new platforms for digitized production systems. The main aim of the proposed article is to design a new software tool for modeling and control of discrete-event and hybrid systems using Arduino and similar microcontrollers. To accomplish these tasks, a new tool called PN2ARDUINO based on Petri nets is proposed able to communicate with the microcontroller. Communication with the microcontroller is based on the modified Firmata protocol hence, the control algorithm can be implemented on all microcontrollers that support this type of protocol. The developed software tool was successfully verified in control of laboratory systems. In addition, it can be used for education and research purposes as it offers a graphical environment for designing control algorithms for hybrid and mainly discrete-event systems. The proposed software tool can improve education and practice in cyber-physical systems (Industry 4.0).

Highlights

Development of cyber-physical systems is a complex discipline that includes many activities, e.g., system design, specification of required properties, implementation, testing and further development of the system [1]
The article presents an extension of the PNEditor named PN2ARDUINO; able to communicate with microcontrollers supporting the Firmata protocol
Petri nets control logic is stored in the computer which communicates with the microcontroller and sends control commands

Summary

Introduction

Development of cyber-physical systems is a complex discipline that includes many activities, e.g., system design, specification of required properties, implementation, testing and further development of the system [1]. With an appropriate software development methodology, and software and hardware modules, these control methods can be synergistically combined to yield a proper and unique control system that allows joining discrete-event and continuous-time control methods for an effective hybrid systems control. This is useful in systems which require using different control algorithms depending on the state of the system—for example

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