Modeling and analysis of message passing in distributed manufacturing systems

This paper addresses the information flow between devices and programs in computer integrated manufacturing systems. Specifically, it presents modeling techniques and methods for detecting the existence of message paths among hardware and software components and the upper bound on time delays along that message path. The modeling technique can be used to analyze interoperability between hardware and software components in the system in initial design and specification. The modeling technique has three components: an object model to describe the message passing protocols between communicating components; a color timed Petri net to describe the dynamic behavior and state dependency within each individual component; and an object synthesis method that integrates the Petri nets of individual objects and message protocols between objects to describe the dynamics of the entire system. The graphical modeling can enhance communication among different groups involved in system design and the analytical method can provide component specifications. The use of the modeling technique and method in early system design can result in time and cost savings in system integration due to better communication, better component selection and early problem identification