Abstract

A panoply of modeling formalisms, based on the paradigm of Petri nets is overviewed and their application to modeling, simulation, and optimization of discrete event systems with alternative structural configurations is discussed. This approach may be appropriate for the development of decision support systems for the design process of discrete event systems. The motivation, definition and an example of application is provided for several formalisms that include a set of exclusive entities. A practical methodology and the main advantages and drawbacks of the application of these formalisms to the calculation of quasi-optimal values for the freedom degrees in the structure of discrete event systems in process of being designed is addressed.