Petri Net-Based Specifications: From Theory to Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Petri nets are a versatile formalism for modeling and analyzing concurrent and distributed systems. This modeling technique has been widely used in various domains, such as manufacturing, control systems, software engineering, and business processes. Petri nets as directed graphs offer a graphical and mathematical representation of systems which can capture both their structure and behavior. This formalism also expands to different variations, such as timed, stochastic, colored, or hybrid Petri nets, to address specific aspects and challenges of complex systems.

One of the crucial applications of Petri nets is to specify the requirements of modeled systems in a precise and unambiguous way. Petri net-based models can express the functional and non-functional aspects of systems, such as data, control, timing, performance, and reliability. The theory of this formalism can also strongly support the verification and validation of models, by enabling various analysis techniques, such as properties checking, state space exploration, and simulation. Petri net-based specifications can also serve as a basis for the design and development of systems, by providing a clear and consistent link between the abstract and concrete levels of system improvements.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present the latest advances and challenges in the field of modeling with the use of Petri nets, from theory to applications. We invite original and high-quality contributions that address (but are not limited to) the following topics:

• Methods and tools for modeling Petri net-based systems;
• Comprehensive frameworks for Petri net analysis and design;
• Verification and analysis of Petri net properties;
• Description of Petri net-based systems within HDLs;
• Synthesis and implementation of Petri net-based systems in FPGAs;
• Hardware validation of Petri net-based systems;
• Cyber-physical systems described by Petri nets;
• Manufacturing systems specified by Petri nets;
• Petri net-based discrete-event systems;
• Workflow management with Petri nets;
• Petri nets in biological and biochemical systems;
• Case studies and applications of Petri net-based systems;
• Surveys and reviews of methods for Petri net properties analysis.

We hope that this Special Issue will provide a valuable and timely reference for researchers and practitioners who are interested in modeling with the application of Petri net theory, and it will stimulate further research and innovation in this area.

Dr. Marcin Wojnakowski
Prof. Dr. Remigiusz Wiśniewski
Dr. Grzegorz Bazydło
Guest Editors

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• Petri nets
• concurrent systems
• modeling
• design
• analysis
• verification