Automata with finite congruence lattices

Abstract

In this paper we prove that if the congruence lattice of an automaton A is finite then the endomorphism semigroup E(A) of A is finite. Moreover, if A is commutative then A is A-finite. We prove that if 3 ≤ |A| then a commutative automaton A is simple if and only if it is a cyclic permutation automaton of prime order. We also give some results concerning cyclic, strongly connected and strongly trap-connected automata.