9308737 Holloway In this project, automated procedures are developed for synthesizing distributed discrete-event control laws according to specifications of operations sequencing and forbidden state avoidance. The framework considered consists of a manufacturing system modeled as a controlled Petri net, a set of distributed controllers, and a communication channel through which the controllers interact. The distributed representation of the system state as a Petri net marking offers distinct advantages in the modeling of distributed systems and in developing efficient synthesis procedures. The developed synthesis techniques are enhanced to optimize the permissiveness of the control while minimizing the controller interaction. The techniques drawn upon recent results in discrete-event control theory for both automata system models and Petri net system models. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the discrete-event control synthesis are demonstrated by implementing and evaluating the synthesized control in an automated manufacturing facility. ***
