Quantitative Verification: From Model Checking to Model Measuring

Lead Research Organisation: University of Oxford
Department Name: Computer Science

Abstract

Enabling engineers, programmers, and researchers to automaticallyverify the correctness of the computer systems that they design is oneof the Grand Challenges of computing research. The scientific andeconomic importance of this goal has long been recognised, yet despitesubstantial progress in basic and applied research over the last fewdecades, much work remains ahead of us. The aim of this project is toaddress the issue of quantitative verification and analysis ofreal-time and probabilistic systems, from the development of novel andfundamental algorithms all the way to the design and implementation oftools.The software research outcomes will be evaluated in collaboration withmy industrial partners, which include Airbus UK, NASA JPL, andTraceTronic, an automotive engineering firm. We will apply theverification technology to case studies derived from actual products,which is an essential part of the validation process of this researchenterprise.Ultimately, the principles and software tools arising from thisresearch will enable software firm to enhance the quality of theirsafety-critical products, potentially averting loss of life and/ormajor financial disasters.
 
Description We have developed a series algorithms for online monitoring, model checking, model measuring, and synthesis for quantitative systems, particularly real-time and probabilistic systems. In doing so, we have answered a series of open decidability and complexity questions.
Exploitation Route The algorithms should be implemented and investigated on real-world systems.
Sectors Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Transport,Other