The IOPT-Flow framework pairing Petri nets and data-flows for embedded controller development

The IOPT-Flow modeling framework is a Web-based set of tools for the design of embedded and cyber-physical system controllers, comprehending a graphical editor, a simulator and automatic code generation tools. Models are designed using an hybrid formalism combining Petri nets and data-flows to specify the reactive and data-driven parts of the controllers. Model composition based on components simplify the development of complex systems, that may be assembled with the help of a library of previously designed components. The synergy of the interaction between data-flow and Petri net elements brings many advantages to the design of mixed systems that must simultaneously perform data processing operations on input signals and manage complex event driven state-machines. The resulting controllers may be implemented on software or reconfigurable hardware devices, as the code generation tools support C and VHDL. The tools are free to use and are available online http://gres.uninova.pt/iopt-flow.

[1]  H.-M. Hanisch,et al.  Net condition/event systems with multiple condition outputs , 1995, Proceedings 1995 INRIA/IEEE Symposium on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. ETFA'95.

[2]  Fernando Pereira,et al.  Remote operation of embedded controllers designed using IOPT Petri-nets , 2015, 2015 IEEE 13th International Conference on Industrial Informatics (INDIN).

[3]  Mark Minas,et al.  Visual PLC-programming using signal interpreted Petri nets , 2002, Proceedings of the 2002 American Control Conference (IEEE Cat. No.CH37301).

[4]  Fernando Pereira,et al.  Combining Data-Flows and Petri Nets for Cyber-Physical Systems Specification , 2016, DoCEIS.

[5]  James B. Dabney,et al.  Mastering Simulink 4 , 2001 .

[6]  Luis Gomes,et al.  Automatic synthesis of VHDL hardware components from IOPT Petri net models , 2013, IECON 2013 - 39th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society.

[7]  L. Gomes,et al.  The Input-Output Place-Transition Petri Net Class and Associated Tools , 2007, 2007 5th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Informatics.

[8]  Stephen A. Edwards,et al.  The synchronous languages 12 years later , 2003, Proc. IEEE.

[9]  Thomas L. Harman,et al.  Mastering Simulink , 2003 .

[10]  Filipe Moutinho,et al.  IOPT Petri net state space generation algorithm with maximal-step execution semantics , 2011, 2011 9th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Informatics.

[11]  E.A. Lee,et al.  Synchronous data flow , 1987, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[12]  Wolfgang Reisig.  Petri Nets: An Introduction , 1985, EATCS Monographs on Theoretical Computer Science.

[13]  Filipe Moutinho,et al.  IOPT-tools — Towards cloud design automation of digital controllers with Petri nets , 2014, 2014 International Conference on Mechatronics and Control (ICMC).

[14]  Edward A. Lee,et al.  Compositionality in Synchronous Data Flow: modular code generation from hierarchical SDF graphs , 2010, ICCPS '10.