The objective of this project is to study problems with partial information arising in situations involving computer communications from the point of view of systems and control theory. The main case of interest is that of distributed database systems. This research focuses on a study of concurrency control and recovery protection against aborts and crashes as control problems for discrete event systems. These problems are characterized by the issue of partial information, with communication playing a central role. The goal of the project is to investigate the appropriateness of state models for posing questions of control and communication and for formulating and analyzing proposed solutions. In particular, a study will be made of the applicability of the theory of Ramadge and Wonham for supervisory control of discrete event systems to these problems. This work should contribute to a better understanding of control and system-theoretic issues in discrete event systems.
