A key component in a new high-speed prototype network, called the Multiple Crossbar Network (MCN) being developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a crossbar switching core and its controller. This switching core allows for up to 32 (800 Mbit/second) connections to pass through it simultaneously. The motivation for this network is to allow visualization data to be sent at movie rate speeds to a users workstation from a supercomputer. This paper reviews the key concepts and components of the MCN, and then focuses on the behavioral level design of a distributed asynchronous VLSI controller chip set for the switching core. A unique design methodology is presented and then applied to the controller which uses an externally distributed chip set, and distributed asynchronous finite state machines internally.

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This book describes a model-based development approach for globally-asynchronous locally-synchronous distributed embedded controllers. This approach uses Petri nets as modeling formalism to create platform and network independent models supporting the use of design automation tools. To support this development approach, the Petri nets class in use is extended with time-domains and asynchronous-channels. The authors’ approach uses models not only providing a better understanding of the distributed controller and improving the communication among the stakeholders, but also to be ready to support the entire lifecycle, including the simulation, the verification (using model-checking tools), the implementation (relying on automatic code generators), and the deployment of the distributed controller into specific platforms. Uses a graphical and intuitive modeling formalism supported by design automation tools; Enables verification, ensuring that the distributed controller was correctly specified; Provides flexibility in the implementation and maintenance phases to achieve desired constraints (high performance, low power consumption, reduced costs), enabling porting to different platforms using different communication nodes, without changing the underlying behavioral model.

This book sheds light on networked control systems; it describes different techniques for asynchronous control, moving away from the periodic actions of classical control, replacing them with state-based decisions and reducing the frequency with which communication between subsystems is required. The text focuses specially on event-based control. Split into two parts, Asynchronous Control for Networked Systems begins by addressing the problems of single-loop networked control systems, laying out various solutions which include two alternative model-based control schemes (anticipatory and predictive) and the use of H2/H∞ robust control to deal with network delays and packet losses. Results on self-triggering and send-on-delta sampling are presented to reduce the need for feedback in the loop. In Part II, the authors present solutions for distributed estimation and control. They deal first with reliable networks and then extend their results to scenarios in which delays and packet losses may occur. The novel results presented in Asynchronous Control for Networked Systems are transmitted in a concise and clear style supported by simulation and experimental examples. Some applications are also provided. Academic researchers and graduate students investigating control theory, control engineering and computer communications systems can use this monograph to learn how asynchronous control helps tackle the problems of networked systems in centralized and distributed schemes. Control practitioners at work in power systems, vehicle coordination and traffic networks will also find this book helpful in improving the performance of their systems.