Introduction to Discrete Event Systems

by Christos G. Cassandras, Stéphane Lafortune

Overview

This unique textbook comprehensively introduces the field of discrete event systems, offering a breadth of coverage that makes the material accessible to readers of varied backgrounds. The book emphasizes a unified modeling framework that transcends specific application areas, linking the following topics in a coherent manner: language and automata theory, supervisory control, Petri net theory, Markov chains and queueing theory, discrete-event simulation, and concurrent estimation techniques.

Topics and features:

detailed treatment of automata and language theory in the context of discrete event systems, including application to state estimation and diagnosis
• comprehensive coverage of centralized and decentralized supervisory control of partially-observed systems
• timed models, including timed automata and hybrid automata
• shastic models for discrete event systems and controlled Markov chains
• discrete event simulation
• an introduction to shastic hybrid systems sensitivity analysis and optimization of discrete event and hybrid systems
• new in the third edition: opacity properties, enhanced coverage of supervisory control, overview of latest software tools

This proven textbook is essential to advanced-level students and researchers in a variety of disciplines where the study of discrete event systems is relevant: control, communications, computer engineering, computer science, manufacturing engineering, transportation networks, operations research, and industrial engineering.

​Christos G. Cassandras is Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Professor of Systems Engineering, and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Boston University.

Stéphane Lafortune is Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030722722
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	11/12/2021
Edition description:	3rd ed. 2021
Pages:	804
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Christos G. Cassandras is Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Boston University. He is Head of the Division of Systems Engineering, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and co-founder of the Boston University Center for Information and Systems Engineering (CISE). He received a B.S degree from Yale University, M.S.E.E degree from Stanford University, and S.M and Ph.D degrees from Harvard University. Prior to joining Boston University, he worked on automated manufacturing systems with ITP Boston (1982–1984), and was Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst until 1997. Besides discrete event and hybrid systems, his interests include shastic control and optimization, computer simulation, multi-agent systems, manufacturing systems, transportation systems and autonomous vehicles, and computer and sensor networks. He has published over 450 technical papers in these areas. He has worked extensively with industrial organizations and has most recently collaborated with The MathWorks, Inc. in the development of the discrete event and hybrid system simulator SimEvents. His prior book, Discrete Event Systems: Modeling and Performance Analysis, on which a substantial portion of the present book is based, received the 1999 Harold Chest[1]nut Prize, awarded by the International Federation of Automatic Control for best control engineering textbook. Dr. Cassandras was Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control from 1998 through 2009 and is currently a member of several journal editorial boards. He was the 2012 President of the IEEE Control Systems Society. He is the recipient of several awards, including the 2011 IEEE Control Systems Technology Award, the Distinguished Member Award of the IEEE Control Systems Society (2006), and 2011 and 2014 prizes for the IBM/IEEE Smarter Planet Challenge competition. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and of the IFAC.

Stéphane Lafortune is the N. Harris McClamroch Collegiate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. He received his B.Eng. degree from Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal, M.Eng. degree from McGill University, and Ph.D. degree from the University of California at Berkeley. He joined the University of Michigan in 1986. The principal focus of his research has been the area of discrete event systems, including modeling, diagnosis, supervisory control, optimal control, centralized and decentralized control and diagnosis, and communication in decentralized-information problems. Lafortune is a Fellow of the IEEE and of IFAC. He received the Presidential Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation in 1990 and the George S. Axelby Outstanding Paper Award from the Control Systems Society of the IEEE in 1994 (for a paper co-authored with S.L. Chung and F. Lin) and in 2001 (for a paper co-authored with G. Barrett). Lafortune was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Discrete Event Dynamic Systems: Theory and Applications from 1/2015 to 12/2020.

Table of Contents

Preface-Third Edition.- Preface- Second Edition.- Preface.- Systems and Models.- Languages and Automata.- Supervisory Control.- Petri Nets.- Timed and Hybrid Models.- Shastic Timed Automata.- Markov Chains.- Introduction to Queuing Theory.- Controlled Markov Chains.- Introduction to Discrete-Event Simulation.- Sensitivity Analysis and Concurrent Estimation.- Review of Probability Theory.- IPA Estimator.- Index.- About the Authors.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews of the second edition:

"This largely self-contained and extremely accessible textbook presents a unified treatment of DES essentially centred on automata and proceeds with a gradual increase in complexity by covering untimed, timed, and shastic timed models. … suitable for senior undergraduate or junior graduate level clientele, this textbook maintains the same format with a profusion of exercises and a good set of references at the end of each chapter, making it extremely useful for supporting coursework." (Fernando Lobo Pereira, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2009 f)

"This book is an introduction to discrete event systems that emphasizes modeling and control issues. … Several references and a Web site devoted to the book increase its value and usability. The book is well written and maintains a good balance of breadth and depth. It is highly suitable as a textbook, featuring various examples that make it easy to follow and understand the topics. It is already used in several universities around the world." (G. Ciobanu, ACM Computing Reviews, October, 2009)

"This textbook is a comprehensive introduction to the field of discrete event systems, emphasizing breadth of coverage and accessibility of the material to a large audience of readers with different backgrounds. Its key feature is the emphasis placed on a unified modeling framework for the different facets of the study of discrete event systems." (Tiit Riismaa, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1165, 2009)

“A textbook for advanced-level students … and as a reference for researchers in the areas of control, communications, computer engineering, computer science, manufacturing engineering, operations research, and industrial engineering. … We consider Introduction to Discrete Event Systems among the best books that are excellent for both instructional and research purposes. … the book still enjoys its status as one of a kind in the field of discrete event systemsbecause of its quality, scope, utility, timeliness, and a wealth of important coherent topics.” (Andrea Paoli and N. Eva Wu, IEEE Control Systems Magazine, Vol. 29, June, 2009)

“Like the first edition, this edition provides a broad introduction to the field of discrete event systems. The book combines easy-to-read concepts and methods of such topics as language and automata theory, supervisory control. … This second edition is thoroughly and carefully revised and expanded. … The book is clearly written and well organized. … It will benefit both undergraduate and graduate students … . this book will be useful for researchers in a host of disciplines related to the study of discrete event systems.” (Technometrics, Vol. 51 (1), February, 2009)

From the Publisher