A modeling strategy with event structures for hybrid systems

A candidate model for hybrid systems is proposed. A hybrid system consists of a continuous-time system interacting with a decision-making system. Such systems occur every time a continuous-time process is supervised by a decision-maker. Examples of hybrid systems include flexible manufacturing systems and variable structure control systems. A graphically expressive Petri net models the decision-making system, and a state model represents the continuous-time system. Two event-based interfacing functions, the transition enabling function and the actuator function, transmit information between the two components of the hybrid system. The precise definition of an elementary event is given. Structures for combining elementary events to create a macro-events are described. The hybrid system model is compared with another Petri-net-based model, called C-net, used for the control of flexible manufacturing systems