Using Petri Nets for Network Control System Research

The use of communication networks in control systems has several important advantages, such as the ability to transfer information and remote control of various objects, the possibility of modifications and maintenance. On the other hand, the time between reading measurements from the sensor and sending a control signal to the actuator depends on the network characteristics (topology and routing scheme), and such a time delay can greatly affect the overall network performance. Delays, distortions, and loss of transmitted data not only degrade the performance of the network control system but also destabilize it. This article describes the use of Petri nets as a method for modeling network control systems (NCS) using the example of designing an active suspension control system for a car. The simulation was performed using the star and common bus topologies, and as a result, it was found that control systems with the common bus topology function 40% faster than systems with "star" topology.