Control of Discrete-event Systems provides a survey of the most important topics in the discrete-event systems theory with particular focus on finite-state automata, Petri nets and max-plus algebra. Coverage ranges from introductory material on the basic notions and definitions of discrete-event systems to more recent results. Special attention is given to results on supervisory control, state estimation and fault diagnosis of both centralized and distributed/decentralized systems developed in the framework of the Distributed Supervisory Control of Large Plants (DISC) project. Later parts of the text are devoted to the study of congested systems though fluidization, an over approximation allowing a much more efficient study of observation and control problems of timed Petri nets. Finally, the max-plus algebraic approach to the analysis and control of choice-free systems is also considered. Control of Discrete-event Systems provides an introduction to discrete-event systems for readers that are not familiar with this class of systems, but also provides an introduction to research problems and open issues of current interest to readers already familiar with them. Most of the material in this book has been presented during a Ph.D. school held in Cagliari, Italy, in June 2011.

Gives the student reader a clear a clear introduction to discrete-event systems, Petri nets, automata and max-plus algebra

From the Contents: Part I Modeling of Engineering Phenomena by Finite Automata.- Languages, decidability and Complexity. Languages, Decidability and Complexity.- Supervisory Control with Complete Observation. Supervisory Control with Partial Observation.- Observers with Automata.- Part II Introduction to Petri Nets.- Control of Petri Nets with Language Specifications.- Diagnosis of Petri Nets.- Diagnosis with Unfolding.- Structural Methods for the Control of Discrete-event Systems: The Case of the Resource Allocation Problem.- Timed and Time Nets.- Diagnosis of Petri Nets with Time.