Fuzzy Petri net-based programmable logic controller

Abstract

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are able to directly implement control sequences specified by means of standard languages such as Grafcet or formal models such as Petri nets. In the case of simple regulation problems between two steps it could be of great interest to introduce a notion of "fuzzy events" in order to denote a continuous evolution from one state to another. This could result from a linear interpolation between the commands attached to two control steps represented by two Petri net (PN) places. This paper is an attempt to develop fuzzy PN-based PLCs in a similar way as fuzzy controllers (regulators). Our approach is based on a combination of Petri nets with possibility theory (Petri nets with fuzzy markings).