Exploiting Petri Nets for Graphical Modelling of Electromagnetic Pulse Switching Operations

Abstract

Most of the current computing technology relies on semiconductor‐based devices to perform fundamental switching/routing processes, however, recent advances in the field of optical computing have demonstrated that interconnected waveguides (in a series and/or parallel configuration) can enable high‐speed switching and routing of transverse electromagnetic (TEM) square pulses, creating new paradigms for alternative solutions in computing. In this work, a new approach for the modelling of TEM square pulse switching and routing in interconnected waveguides is proposed by unleashing the potential of Petri‐Nets (PNs). PNs are a highly regarded graphical modelling technique used in multiple scenarios ranging from industrial engineering, electronic circuits and even in chemical engineering for the study of chemical reactions. The fundamental principles of PNs along with their potential to graphically represent systems of equations are presented. These features are then exploited to represent the interaction of TEM square pulses in waveguide junctions using three or four interconnected waveguides (series and parallel configurations). This work represents a fundamental step toward allowing experts from multiple fields (such as computer science, electronics, and photonics) to contribute to the design of future computing systems by exploiting PNs in the design of electromagnetic wave‐based computing systems.

Time derivatives via interconnected waveguides

“…1a (we call this as the “ second split ”). The superposition of all signals after the second interaction ( second split ) at the waveguide junction will cancel the signals towards the metallic-ended stubs 16 , 17 , 19 , 47 and will leave only two signals propagating away from the junction (one along the input and one along the output waveguides, respectively) both with an amplitude of , being delayed by a factor , as explained above. In other words, the signals traveling towards the input and output waveguides after being reflected from the stubs are scattered at the junction and are defined as .…”

Arbitrary order analogue differentiation using transmission line techniques

“…In recent years, analogue computing has seen a experienced an increase in scientific interest in part due to the introduction of "computational metamaterials" in 2014 by Silva et al [1]. Since then, various groups have reported analogue processors capable of performing mathematical operation onto the wavefront of electromagnetic or acoustic signals [2]- [5]. Different techniques have been employed in order to achieve this goal including Bragg gratings [6], plasmonic structures [7], multilayered media [1,8], metamaterials and metasurfaces [9].…”

Utilizing Petri-Nets to Represent Electromagnetic Waveguide Junction Switching Processes

“…As it will be discussed during the conference, PNs can be used to represent the scattering matrices of three-port and four-port waveguides [6] (series or parallel configuration). In particular, we show how interaction of transverse electromagnetic (TEM) square pulses in interconnected waveguide junctions can be analytically modelled using PNs at a fraction of the computational cost required for full-wave simulations in software.…”