On the synchronization of cyclic discrete-event systems

Max-plus linear systems are a powerful modeling tool for many applications that involve scheduling and synchronization, such as manufacturing, traffic, and legged locomotion. In this paper we investigate how to systematically construct synchronization controllers for multiple cyclic discrete-event systems modeled in the max-plus framework. We consider that a synchronization specification is given to the control designer as a set of ordering pairs of events that need to occur for the same event counter. We introduce a synchronization controller that verifies the feasible specifications and show that unfeasible specifications are automatically detected. We present simulation results for the evolution of controlled synchronized cyclic systems.