Petri net-based modeling and VHDL implementation of digital systems

Petri net-based digital systems modeling and hardware implementation method is well-studied. However, the existing methods are mainly applied to synchronous circuits. In this paper, a new approach is proposed for the modeling and VHDL implementation of digital systems based on an extended class of Petri nets. The generalized synchronous self-modifying net (GSSN) is defined to describe digital systems. Based on a new kind of D flip-flop, known as multi-input & multi-clock D flip-flop, the specific conversion algorithm from Petri nets models to VHDL codes is presented. A design example is given to illustrate the capabilities of the proposed approach. The approach presented in the paper is suitable for both asynchronous systems and synchronous systems.