Generalized Stochastic Petri Nets: A Definition at the Net Level and its Implications

The class of Petri nets obtained by eliminating timing from generalized stochastic Petri net (GSPN) models while preserving the qualitative behavior is identified. Structural results for those nets are derived, obtaining the first structural analysis of Petri nets with priority and inhibitor arcs. A revision of the GSPN definition based on the structural properties of the models is presented. It is shown that for a (wide) class of nets, the definition of firing probabilities of conflicting immediate transitions does not require the information on reachable markings. Identification of the class of models for which the net-level specification is possible is also based on the structural analysis results. The procedure for the model specification is illustrated by means of an example. It is also shown that a net-level specification of the model associated with efficient structural analysis techniques can have a substantial impact on model analysis.