An algorithm for calculating indistinguishable states and clusters in finite-state automata with partially observable transitions

This paper presents a new algorithm for efficiently calculating pairs of indistinguishable states in finite-state automata with partially observable transitions. The need to obtain pairs of indistinguishable states occurs in several classes of problems related to control under partial observation, diagnosis, or distributed control with communication for discrete event systems. The algorithm obtains all indistinguishable state pairs in polynomial time in the number of states and events in the system. Another feature of the algorithm is the grouping of states into clusters and the identification of indistinguishable cluster pairs. Clusters can be employed to solve control problems for partially observed systems. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.