Early detection of component incompatibility in time-dependent computer architectures. Complex real-time systems are increasingly being built by integrating off-the-shelf components. There are obvious benefits to this approach, but the hidden costs associated with integration are still a major problem. Our proposed approach will enable early detection of integration problems, and thus provide potential for large cost savings. This brings with it clear benefits to industry. One industry that woul ....Early detection of component incompatibility in time-dependent computer architectures. Complex real-time systems are increasingly being built by integrating off-the-shelf components. There are obvious benefits to this approach, but the hidden costs associated with integration are still a major problem. Our proposed approach will enable early detection of integration problems, and thus provide potential for large cost savings. This brings with it clear benefits to industry. One industry that would benefit by such technology is the Australian Navy, which is increasingly being confronted with the challenge of integrating off-the-shelf components in large Naval Combat Systems. Read moreRead less
Integrating Model Checking and Knowledge Dynamics for System Verification. The task of system verification is to ensure the correctness of system design and specification in some automatic way. The aim of this project is to develop a new methodology and technology for computer software system verification by integrating traditional model checking approach and knowledge dynamics modeling. By deriving the results of this project, we will understand how model checking and knowledge dynamics modelin ....Integrating Model Checking and Knowledge Dynamics for System Verification. The task of system verification is to ensure the correctness of system design and specification in some automatic way. The aim of this project is to develop a new methodology and technology for computer software system verification by integrating traditional model checking approach and knowledge dynamics modeling. By deriving the results of this project, we will understand how model checking and knowledge dynamics modeling can be integrated for more effective software verification and modification, which will significantly improve current software design and development procedures, increase the correctness and stability of software systems, and provide high security for e-Commerce transaction systems.Read moreRead less
Automation of metric temporal reasoning. A major contemporary engineering concern is to ensure the predictable and robust operation of computer systems involving software, hardware, and human users. The need for systematic and careful construction of such systems requires the development of formal methods based on a dense view of time rather than the traditional step-by-step models.
automated strategic reasoning. Formal methods are used to ensure robust correct behaviour in design and implementation of computer systems. Traditional models of computer operation involve a linear sequence of behaviour but today’s systems are complex interactions between many components including the environment of the system and human users. Thus analysis is done via a logical game between components where each is trying to meet its specified requirements regardless of what others do: formalis ....automated strategic reasoning. Formal methods are used to ensure robust correct behaviour in design and implementation of computer systems. Traditional models of computer operation involve a linear sequence of behaviour but today’s systems are complex interactions between many components including the environment of the system and human users. Thus analysis is done via a logical game between components where each is trying to meet its specified requirements regardless of what others do: formalisms include branching time and competing coalitions of agents. This project is to take early advantage of recent breakthroughs in automated logical reasoning with such models by the investigator to deliver general practical techniques of system development and verification.Read moreRead less
Intelligent Model Checking. Real-world systems are typically so complex that software engineers require specialised CAD tools to debug and verify a design. Model checking is a formal method that is used extensively for this purpose, particularly for mission-critical systems. In this work, a new kind of verifying tool, based on model checking, is developed. This new model checker is intelligent because a heuristic search is integrated into the underlying formalism. It is not exhaustive, and is mo ....Intelligent Model Checking. Real-world systems are typically so complex that software engineers require specialised CAD tools to debug and verify a design. Model checking is a formal method that is used extensively for this purpose, particularly for mission-critical systems. In this work, a new kind of verifying tool, based on model checking, is developed. This new model checker is intelligent because a heuristic search is integrated into the underlying formalism. It is not exhaustive, and is more efficient than a traditional model checker during the design phase because it does only a minimum amount of work in its search for a fault.Read moreRead less
Model Update with Localisation, Constraints and Abstraction. This project will fundamentally provide a new paradigm and a system prototype for advanced computer aided system modification. It will significantly enhance Australia's leading role in the cutting edge research in computer aided system development. By applying the new methodology and technology, Australian IT industry will significantly improve its capacity for developing highly complex hardware and software systems for various applica ....Model Update with Localisation, Constraints and Abstraction. This project will fundamentally provide a new paradigm and a system prototype for advanced computer aided system modification. It will significantly enhance Australia's leading role in the cutting edge research in computer aided system development. By applying the new methodology and technology, Australian IT industry will significantly improve its capacity for developing highly complex hardware and software systems for various applications. With a strong research program across different areas such as knowledge system update, model checking and software development, and a collaborative research training environment, this project will strengthen Australia's international reputation as a leader in computing and IT research.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre for Complex Systems. The Australian Centre for Complex Systems brings together leading researchers from several disciplines and institutions to conduct research on questions fundamental to understanding and managing complex systems. Its core research program, based on the theme of computation in and by networks of agents, has two interwoven strands. The science strand addresses questions about emergent properties, natural computation, and nonlinear dynamics. The engineering strand add ....ARC Centre for Complex Systems. The Australian Centre for Complex Systems brings together leading researchers from several disciplines and institutions to conduct research on questions fundamental to understanding and managing complex systems. Its core research program, based on the theme of computation in and by networks of agents, has two interwoven strands. The science strand addresses questions about emergent properties, natural computation, and nonlinear dynamics. The engineering strand addresses issues about methodology, modelling toolkits, and management and control. Practical applications are advanced via collaborative projects that address key issues in biology, environment, and socio-economics.Read moreRead less
A Compositional Model for Verifying and Programming Ecologies of Smart Internet Devices. Emerging in 21st century computing is what we perceive as device ecologies, or collections of devices that can exhibit smart behaviour, automate tasks, interact synergistically with one another, with users and Internet resources, and provide aid and value in daily life and work. Device ecologies will be seen in areas as diverse as e-commerce, health care, home automation, office automation, manufacturing, an ....A Compositional Model for Verifying and Programming Ecologies of Smart Internet Devices. Emerging in 21st century computing is what we perceive as device ecologies, or collections of devices that can exhibit smart behaviour, automate tasks, interact synergistically with one another, with users and Internet resources, and provide aid and value in daily life and work. Device ecologies will be seen in areas as diverse as e-commerce, health care, home automation, office automation, manufacturing, and defense. This project will develop a novel model and language for analyzing and programming device ecologies. This will be an Australian contribution towards techniques for constructing advanced applications that work over the computing infrastructure of the future.Read moreRead less
Machine-checked Foundations for Verified Vote Counting. The project will deliver a general methodology for developing formal logical specifications of the Acts of Parliament for many common systems for counting votes in preferential elections. The project will deliver corresponding computer programs to count votes according to these systems and will deliver formal independently checkable proofs that the programs meet their specification. Such formally verified computer programs provide a legally ....Machine-checked Foundations for Verified Vote Counting. The project will deliver a general methodology for developing formal logical specifications of the Acts of Parliament for many common systems for counting votes in preferential elections. The project will deliver corresponding computer programs to count votes according to these systems and will deliver formal independently checkable proofs that the programs meet their specification. Such formally verified computer programs provide a legally sound basis for counting votes by computer. The methodology will also allow electoral commissioners to improve the natural language descriptions of the relevant Acts of Parliament which are often woefully out of date with current practice.Read moreRead less
Building correct-by-construction distributed systems from specifications stating how agents' knowledge evolves over time. Many distributed computer system implementations fail to comply with their original informal requirement specification. These requirements typically refer to the migration of information through the system over time, but current specification languages are not rich enough to express such requirements on a sufficiently abstract level. This results in a huge error-provoking gap ....Building correct-by-construction distributed systems from specifications stating how agents' knowledge evolves over time. Many distributed computer system implementations fail to comply with their original informal requirement specification. These requirements typically refer to the migration of information through the system over time, but current specification languages are not rich enough to express such requirements on a sufficiently abstract level. This results in a huge error-provoking gap between the informal requirements and the starting point of formally verifiable development. To minimise this gap, we develop a particularly expressive specification language, a calculus for stepwise refinement from such specifications down to distributed systems, and an automated tool for checking and supporting refinement steps in the calculus.Read moreRead less