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Specification and verification of reactive system behaviour: The Railroad Crossing example

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Abstract

In this paper we present an approach to the specification and verification of reactive systems. The approach uses Timed Statecharts and Real Time Logic for the specification of temporal behaviour, and theorem proving techniques for the verification of safety and utility properties. Formal verification is achieved through the automation of semi-formal (rigorous) proofs using a theorem prover (Proofpower HOL). To illustrate the approach, we use the Railroad Crossing Problem, which has been proposed, along with a set of criteria for assessment, as a benchmark for the comparison of real-time formalisms. We conclude with our assessment of the approach against the proposed criteria.

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Armstrong, J., Barroca, L. Specification and verification of reactive system behaviour: The Railroad Crossing example. Real-Time Systems 10, 143–178 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00360339

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