Formal Specification and Verification of Real-Time Sequential Control Systems

Formal Specification and Verification of Real-Time Sequential Control Systems
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 12
Release: 1994
Genre:
ISBN:

A variety of methods have been employed for specifying the behavior of sequential control systems that, e.g., can be implemented by programmable logic controllers (PLC's). In dealing with real-time issues, timed Petri nets and other popular formalisms provide limited capabilities with respect to both specification and analysis of behavior. At the same time, many of the formal methods that have been reported in the literature are not readily applicable to the area of sequential control. In this paper, we explore the application of a formal method for real-time systems based on hierarchical multi-state (HMS) machines, to the specification and verification of sequential control systems. Verification in this context goes beyond simulation and testing by attempting to provide mathematical proofs for correctness of behavior with respect to general safety properties. HMS machines, which were originally introduced in 1988, consist of parallel and hierarchical automata in which multiple states are true and multiple transitions can fire simultaneously. The temporal behavior of an HMS machine is defined in terms of an interval-based temporal logic. Examples of applications of HMS machines to sequential control problems and an overview of verification approaches are presented.

Integration of Software Specification Techniques for Applications in Engineering

Integration of Software Specification Techniques for Applications in Engineering
Author: Hartmut Ehrig
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 638
Release: 2011-04-05
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 354027863X

This book constitutes the documentation of the scientific outcome of the priority program Integration of Software Specification Techniques for Applications in Engineering sponsored by the German Research Foundation (DFG). It includes main contributions of the projects of the priority program and of additional international experts in the field. Some of the papers included were presented at the related Third International Workshop on the topic, INT 2004, held in Barcelona, Spain in March 2004. The 25 revised full papers presented together with 6 section introductions by the volume editors were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in the book. The papers are organized in topical sections on reference case study production automation, reference case study traffic control systems, petri nets and related approaches in engineering, charts, verification, and integration modeling.

Verification and Validation of Real-Time Software

Verification and Validation of Real-Time Software
Author: William J. Quirk
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3642702244

W.J.Quirk 1.1 Real-time software and the real world Real-time software and the real world are inseparably related. Real time cannot be turned back and the real world will not always forget its history. The consequences of previous influences may last for a long time and the undesired effects may range from being inconvenient to disastrous in both economic and human terms. As a result, there is much pressure to develop and apply techniques to improve the reliability of real-time software so that the frequency and consequences of failure are reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable. This report is about such techniques. After a detailed description of the software life cycle, a chapter is devoted to each of the four principle categories of technique available at present. These cover all stages of the software development process and each chapter identifies relevant techniques, the stages to which they are applicable and their effectiveness in improving real-time software reliability. 1.2 The characteristics of real-time software As well as the enhanced reliability requirement discussed above, real-time software has a number of other distinguishing characteristics. First, the sequencing and timing of inputs are determined by the real world and not by the programmer. Thus the program needs to be prepared for the unexpected and the demands made on the system may be conflicting. Second, the demands on the system may occur in parallel rather than in sequence.

Algorithms and Architectures for Real-Time Control 1991

Algorithms and Architectures for Real-Time Control 1991
Author: P.J. Fleming
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2014-07-22
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1483298256

Computer scientists have long appreciated that the relationship between algorithms and architecture is crucial. Broadly speaking the more specialized the architecture is to a particular algorithm then the more efficient will be the computation. The penalty is that the architecture will become useless for computing anything other than that algorithm. This message holds for the algorithms used in real-time automatic control as much as any other field. These Proceedings will provide researchers in this field with a useful up-to-date reference source of recent developments.

Domain Science and Engineering

Domain Science and Engineering
Author: Dines Bjørner
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 401
Release: 2021-11-08
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3030734846

In this book the author explains domain engineering and the underlying science, and he then shows how we can derive requirements prescriptions for computing systems from domain descriptions. A further motivation is to present domain descriptions, requirements prescriptions, and software design specifications as mathematical quantities. The author's maxim is that before software can be designed we must understand its requirements, and before requirements can be prescribed we must analyse and describe the domain for which the software is intended. He does this by focusing on what it takes to analyse and describe domains. By a domain we understand a rationally describable discrete dynamics segment of human activity, of natural and man-made artefacts, examples include road, rail and air transport, container terminal ports, manufacturing, trade, healthcare, and urban planning. The book addresses issues of seemingly large systems, not small algorithms, and it emphasizes descriptions as formal, mathematical quantities. This is the first thorough monograph treatment of the new software engineering phase of software development, one that precedes requirements engineering. It emphasizes a methodological approach by treating, in depth, analysis and description principles, techniques and tools. It does this by basing its domain modeling on fundamental philosophical principles, a view that is new for a computer science monograph. The book will be of value to computer scientists engaged with formal specifications of software. The author reveals this as a field of interesting problems, most chapters include pointers to further study and exercises drawn from practical engineering and science challenges. The text is supported by a primer to the formal specification language RSL and extensive indexes.

Real-Time: Theory in Practice

Real-Time: Theory in Practice
Author: J.W.de Bakker
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 740
Release: 1992-06-24
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 9783540555643

In the past decade, the formal theory of specification, verfication and development of real-time programs has grown from work of a few specialized groups to a real "bandwagon". Many eminent research groups have shifted their interests in this direction. Consequently, research in real-time is now entering established research areas in formal methods, such as process algebra, temporal logic, and model checking. This volume contains the proceedings of a workshop dedicated to the theory of real-time with the purpose of stepping back and viewing the results achieved as well as considering the directions of ongoing research. The volume gives a representative picture of what is going on in the field worldwide, presented by eminent, active researchers. The material in the volume was prepared by the authors after the workshop took place and reflects the results of the workshop discussions.

Integrated Formal Methods

Integrated Formal Methods
Author: Jim Davies
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 669
Release: 2007-06-22
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3540732098

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Integrated Formal Methods, IFM 2007, held in Oxford, UK. It addresses all aspects of formal methods integration, including of a process of analysis or design application of formal methods to analysis or design, extension of one method based upon the inclusion of ideas or concepts from others, and semantic integration or practical application.

Computer Aided Control System Design: Methods, Tools And Related Topics

Computer Aided Control System Design: Methods, Tools And Related Topics
Author: Mietek A Brdys
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 559
Release: 1994-04-20
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 981450422X

This book is about Computer Aided Control System Design (CACSD) of the direct process controller. Various methods and tools, representing an up-to-date level of development, are presented by leading experts. Several articles describe main principles and problems associated with modern direct control and with CACSD. Existing tools are presented, including packages for stability analysis of nonlinear systems, adaptive control design and integrated analysis, and simulation and tuning of controllers. The reader can observe that it is possible to develop CACSD tools by using open general packages such as Matlab or Simulab, or by providing specialised software. He can then compare both approaches and get an improved understanding of their respective advantages and disadvantages. The leading article by the editors presents CACSD Methods and tools in a broader context. There is also detailed material on upper control layers, hierarchical control, and real-time systems.