A Petri-net based distributed monitoring system using PIC microcontrollers

This paper describes the development of a distributed system for process and condition monitoring. The developed system is based on the Petri-net concept, and uses PIC microcontroller technologies in its implementation. The resulting distributed system has data communication features such as Fieldbus and Internet connectivity thus enabling the deployment of a flexible and low-cost structure for monitoring purposes. The proposed system architecture is discussed in detail, considering both the hardware and software elements involved. The implementation of the Petri-net approach in a microcontroller environment is also presented. Finally, the benefits and limitations of such a system are considered, using some initial results obtained in an experimental implementation.