Analysis of deterministic discrete event systems via minimax algebra

The authors present the basic concepts of a new approach for the analysis and the optimization of a certain class of discrete event systems modeling manufacturing processes. Performance analysis of discrete event dynamic systems is performed with respect to a set of possible assignment/sequencing or delay perturbations. A model of a discrete event system is considered where some decisions are fixed and others are to be taken regarding the assignment of the tasks to the machines and the sequencing of such tasks on the machines. The approach described is based on the analytic tools peculiar to minimax algebra, which provide an effective way to write the performance indexes, and the relevant constraints of the analysis/optimization problems considered