A discrete event system is a mathematical device that communicates with its environment by atomic actions called events. These events are discrete in the sense that they occur instantaneously--as opposed to over a period of time. The dynamics of these systems are characterized by asynchronous occurrences of such discrete events. Examples of discrete event systems are: computer and communication networks, embedded systems, distributed software systems, and other challengingly complex systems.

This book is an introduction to discrete event systems that emphasizes modeling and control issues. It presents modeling techniques and tools centered on automata and Petri nets. It also covers several interesting topics, such as formal languages, supervisory control, Markov chain models, stochastic-timed automata, discrete-event simulation, and perturbation analysis.

Chapter 1 is an introduction tailored for readers with a background in either linear systems and control, or computing sciences and systems. Chapters 2 to 4 present untimed systems, namely, automata and Petri nets. These presentations are focused on analysis and control, being linked by chapter 3 on supervisory control theory; a presentation of decentralized control is also included. Chapter 5 refines the models presented in chapter 2 (automata) and chapter 4 (Petri nets) to include time, and also gives an introduction to hybrid systems. The remaining chapters present stochastic timed models. Chapters 6 to 9 cover stochastic timed automata, Markov chains, controlled Markov chains, and classic queueing theory. Chapters 10 and 11 present techniques involving the use of computers. First, a discrete-event simulation is introduced, including a presentation of some software systems (Section 10.4). The final chapter presents sensitivity analysis and concurrent estimation methods, including the infinitesimal perturbation analysis for hybrid automata.

The book also contains a review of basic concepts and techniques in probability theory, and a C program that implements an infinitesimal perturbation analysis. Several references and a Web site devoted to the book increase its value and usability.

The book is well written and maintains a good balance of breadth and depth. It is highly suitable as a textbook, featuring various examples that make it easy to follow and understand the topics. It is already used in several universities around the world.