Specifying and Verifying Real-Time Systems using Second-Order Algebraic Methods: A Case Study of the Railroad Crossing Controller

L. J. Steggles (Department of Computer Science, University of Newcastle, UK)

Abstract: Second-order algebraic methods provide a natural and expressive formal framework in which to develop correct computing systems. In this paper we consider using second-order algebraic methods to specify real-time systems and to verify their associated safety and utility properties. We demonstrate our ideas by presenting a detailed case study of the railroad crossing controller, a benchmark example in the real-time systems community. This case study demonstrates how real-time constraints can be modelled naturally using second-order algebras and illustrates the substantial expressive power of second-order equations.

Keywords: algebraic specification methods, formal verification, real-time systems

Categories: C.3, F.3.1