UNderstanding COmplex system eVolution through structurEd behaviouRs
This project will explore the theories of complex evolving systems. We will then implement prototype software tools for formal verification, synthesis and analysis.
Project leader
Prof M Koutny
Dates
September 2012 to August 2015
Project staff
Dr V Khomenko, Prof B Randell, Prof A Yakovlev
Sponsors
Partners
BOM Group
Description
Systems evolve in many ways. For example, they may be subject to modification by other systems. As they evolve, their complexity almost invariably increases. The systems may involve hardware, software and human organizations. Though very common in practice, such systems lack robust scientific and engineering support.
We will develop a rigorous methodology supported by a toolkit. We will base it on structured behavioural representations (structured occurrence nets). Using such a toolkit greatly reduces the cognitive complexity of large systems. It will reduce the storage and computational resources needed for modelling.
It also offers a solution to the difficult problem of representing and analysing the behaviour of evolving systems.
We will report on the power and generality of the new formalism of structured occurrence nets. We will demonstrate the potential of our planned toolkit. To do this, we will use three case studies:
- the verification of asynchronous VLSI circuits
- on-line deadlock detection in networks-on-a-chip
- a major crime investigation support system
We will carry out the third case study in partnership with a leading commercial developer of such systems.