Determinism in Cyber-Physical Systems Specified by Interpreted Petri Nets

In this paper, we study selected aspects of determinism in the control part of a cyber-physical system (CPS) that is specified by a Petri net-based model. In particular, the control interpreted Petri nets (CIPNs) are applied, which are an extension of the ordinary Petri nets, supplemented by signals (related to sensors and actuators) that permit communication with the environment. The notions of weak and strong determinism in a system described by a CIPN are introduced in the paper. The proposed concepts are supported by formal definitions and theorems. Moreover, a novel modelling methodology for a deterministic system specified by a CIPN is proposed. The presented solutions are illustrated by a case study example of a real-life cyber-physical system. Finally, the results of experimental verification of the proposed determinism-based techniques are demonstrated and discussed.