318 research outputs found
The decision problem of modal product logics with a diagonal, and faulty counter machines
In the propositional modal (and algebraic) treatment of two-variable
first-order logic equality is modelled by a `diagonal' constant, interpreted in
square products of universal frames as the identity (also known as the
`diagonal') relation. Here we study the decision problem of products of two
arbitrary modal logics equipped with such a diagonal. As the presence or
absence of equality in two-variable first-order logic does not influence the
complexity of its satisfiability problem, one might expect that adding a
diagonal to product logics in general is similarly harmless. We show that this
is far from being the case, and there can be quite a big jump in complexity,
even from decidable to the highly undecidable. Our undecidable logics can also
be viewed as new fragments of first- order logic where adding equality changes
a decidable fragment to undecidable. We prove our results by a novel
application of counter machine problems. While our formalism apparently cannot
force reliable counter machine computations directly, the presence of a unique
diagonal in the models makes it possible to encode both lossy and
insertion-error computations, for the same sequence of instructions. We show
that, given such a pair of faulty computations, it is then possible to
reconstruct a reliable run from them
Model checking multi-agent systems
A multi-agent system (MAS) is usually understood as a system composed of interacting
autonomous agents. In this sense, MAS have been employed successfully as a modelling
paradigm in a number of scenarios, especially in Computer Science. However, the process
of modelling complex and heterogeneous systems is intrinsically prone to errors: for this
reason, computer scientists are typically concerned with the issue of verifying that a system
actually behaves as it is supposed to, especially when a system is complex.
Techniques have been developed to perform this task: testing is the most common technique,
but in many circumstances a formal proof of correctness is needed. Techniques
for formal verification include theorem proving and model checking. Model checking
techniques, in particular, have been successfully employed in the formal verification of
distributed systems, including hardware components, communication protocols, security
protocols.
In contrast to traditional distributed systems, formal verification techniques for MAS are
still in their infancy, due to the more complex nature of agents, their autonomy, and
the richer language used in the specification of properties. This thesis aims at making
a contribution in the formal verification of properties of MAS via model checking. In
particular, the following points are addressed:
⢠Theoretical results about model checking methodologies for MAS, obtained by
extending traditional methodologies based on Ordered Binary Decision Diagrams (OBDDS) for temporal logics to multi-modal logics for time, knowledge, correct behaviour, and strategies of agents. Complexity results for model checking these logics
(and their symbolic representations).
⢠Development of a software tool (MCMAS) that permits the specification and verification
of MAS described in the formalism of interpreted systems.
⢠Examples of application of MCMAS to various MAS scenarios (communication, anonymity, games, hardware diagnosability), including experimental results, and comparison with other tools available
Noise in Quantum and Classical Computation & Non-locality
Quantum computers seem to have capabilities which go beyond those of classical computers. A particular example which is important for cryptography is that quantum computers are able to factor numbers much faster than what seems possible on classical machines.
In order to actually build quantum computers it is necessary to build sufficiently accurate hardware, which is a big challenge.
In part 1 of this thesis we prove lower bounds on the accuracy of the hardware needed to do quantum computation.
We also present a similar result for classical computers.
One resource that quantum computers have but classical computers do not have is entanglement. In Part 2 of this thesis we study certain general aspects of entanglement in terms of quantum XOR games and non-locality
Proceedings of the 26th International Symposium on Theoretical Aspects of Computer Science (STACS'09)
The Symposium on Theoretical Aspects of Computer Science (STACS) is held alternately in France and in Germany. The conference of February 26-28, 2009, held in Freiburg, is the 26th in this series. Previous meetings took place in Paris (1984), Saarbr¨ucken (1985), Orsay (1986), Passau (1987), Bordeaux (1988), Paderborn (1989), Rouen (1990), Hamburg (1991), Cachan (1992), W¨urzburg (1993), Caen (1994), M¨unchen (1995), Grenoble (1996), L¨ubeck (1997), Paris (1998), Trier (1999), Lille (2000), Dresden (2001), Antibes (2002), Berlin (2003), Montpellier (2004), Stuttgart (2005), Marseille (2006), Aachen (2007), and Bordeaux (2008). ..
Formal methods and digital systems validation for airborne systems
This report has been prepared to supplement a forthcoming chapter on formal methods in the FAA Digital Systems Validation Handbook. Its purpose is as follows: to outline the technical basis for formal methods in computer science; to explain the use of formal methods in the specification and verification of software and hardware requirements, designs, and implementations; to identify the benefits, weaknesses, and difficulties in applying these methods to digital systems used on board aircraft; and to suggest factors for consideration when formal methods are offered in support of certification. These latter factors assume the context for software development and assurance described in RTCA document DO-178B, 'Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification,' Dec. 1992
Foundations of Software Science and Computation Structures
This open access book constitutes the proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Foundations of Software Science and Computational Structures, FOSSACS 2022, which was held during April 4-6, 2022, in Munich, Germany, as part of the European Joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software, ETAPS 2022. The 23 regular papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 77 submissions. They deal with research on theories and methods to support the analysis, integration, synthesis, transformation, and verification of programs and software systems
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