Design of complex embedded systems based on different Petri-Net interpretations

A holistic approach for the design of complex embedded systems is described. Its design flow combines hardware and software components. All flow phases are based upon different Petri Net interpretations which use the same theoretical fundamentals. This allows to simulate and verify system parts as well as the whole system. A special simulation method allows to include transition actions. Verification of safety and time properties becomes possible. This is important because embedded systems are often a major part of safety critical real-time applications. To hide the difficulties of different high-level Petri Net interpretations and to use the advantages of modern software technologies an object-oriented design method called Concurrent Object Nets is introduced. This method allows engineers to design and implement safety-critical embedded systems without knowing the Petri Net theory.