Modeling and Control of Discrete-Event Dynamic Systems

Discrete-event dynamic systems (DEDs) permeate our world, being of great importance in modern manufacturing processes, transportation and various forms of computer and communications networking. Modeling and Control of Discrete-event Dynamic Systems begins with the mathematical basics required for the study of DEDs and moves on to present various tools used in their modeling and control. Among the instruments explained are many forms of Petri net, Grafcet (the sequential function chart), state charts, formal languages and max-plus algebra; all essential for control students to become proficient with DEDs and to make use of them in practical applications. In order to assist tutors with the use of this book in classes it contains fully-worked examples and end-of-chapter exercises with a pdf solutions manual available from springer.com. Realistic industrial examples of varying complexity illustrate the concepts and methods under discussion. Using them, readers will be able to understand DEDs quickly and to master the control methods to analyze and improve the performance of their systems. Final-year undergraduates and graduates embarking on further courses of study in control, manufacturing and process engineering, computer studies or operations research will find Modeling and Control of Discrete-event Dynamic Systems an invaluable companion to learning about the control of this increasingly important class of systems.