Cellular petris nets

Abstract

This paper proposes a software framework to model hybrid systems based on an extension of the Petri Net paradigm. Biology inspires changes proposed to the original paradigm. The main difference between this approach and others that can be found in literature is that token attributes may have their own dynamics, just like if they were living cells inside a more complex system. Object Oriented Programming is, at first, applied at this point so that these attributes are packaged in the token, so that most of the token complexity is hidden from the Petri net point of view. This grey box approach adds other important features that enhance Petri net modeling possibilities, like the continuous flow of discrete tokens. Cellular processes or sensor networks are some examples of systems that can take advantage of the new framework.