The Petri net is a formal modelling tool applicable to
distributed systems and communication protocols. Two
methods of analysis are applied to formal models of the
"Alternating Bit Protocol".
(i) A timed Petri net model is simulated
to measure protocol performance.
(ii) A modular numeric Petri net model is validated
by reachability analysis.
The simulation and validation tools are programmed in
(i) "C" language and (ii) Prolog. A specification language
"Needle" is developed. It describes the model system as a
hierarchy of modular state transition networks. The model is
searched for all possible event sequences, and the result
displayed as a reachability tree. The specification language
is capable of describing models which execute backwards in
simulation time. The modular numeric Petri net is the basis
of a powerful computer architecture, capable of parsing its
own specification language to build complex models.
Attention is drawn to the similarities between Petri net
theory and quantum mechanics.
Item Type:
Thesis (Master of Science)
Date of Award:
1989
Refereed:
No
Supervisor(s):
Scott, Michael
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Petri nets; Prolog (Computer language); Distributed computing; Formal methods