Verifying Web Applications: From Business Level Specifications to Automated Model-Based Testing

One of reasons preventing a wider uptake of model-based testing in the industry is the difficulty which is encountered by developers when trying to think in terms of properties rather than linear specifications. A disparity has traditionally been perceived between the language spoken by customers who specify the system and the language required to construct models of that system. The dynamic nature of the specifications for commercial systems further aggravates this problem in that models would need to be rechecked after every specification change. In this paper, we propose an approach for converting specifications written in the commonly-used quasi-natural language Gherkin into models for use with a model-based testing tool. We have instantiated this approach using QuickCheck and demonstrate its applicability via a case study on the eHealth system, the national health portal for Maltese residents.Comment: In Proceedings MBT 2014, arXiv:1403.704

Overview on agent-based social modelling and the use of formal languages

Transdisciplinary Models and Applications investigates a variety of programming languages used in validating and verifying models in order to assist in their eventual implementation. This book will explore different methods of evaluating and formalizing simulation models, enabling computer and industrial engineers, mathematicians, and students working with computer simulations to thoroughly understand the progression from simulation to product, improving the overall effectiveness of modeling systems.Postprint (author's final draft

A 2GHz GaN Class-J power amplifier for base station applications

The design and implementation of a high efficiency Class-J power amplifier (PA) for base station applications is reported. A commercially available 10 W GaN HEMT device was used, for which a large-signal model and an extrinsic parasitic model were available. Following Class-J theory, the needed harmonic terminations at the output of the transistor were defined and realised. Experimental results show good agreement with simulations verifying the class of operation. Efficiency above 70% is demonstrated with an output power of 39.7 dBm at an input drive of 29 dBm. High efficiency is sustained over a bandwidth of 140 MHz.The design and implementation of a high efficiency Class-J power amplifier (PA) for base station applications is reported. A commercially available 10 W GaN HEMT device was used, for which a large-signal model and an extrinsic parasitic model were available. Following Class-J theory, the needed harmonic terminations at the output of the transistor were defined and realised. Experimental results show good agreement with simulations verifying the class of operation. Efficiency above 70% is demonstrated with an output power of 39.7 dBm at an input drive of 29 dBm. High efficiency is sustained over a bandwidth of 140 MHz

Towards verifying correctness of wireless sensor network applications using Insense and Spin

The design and implementation of wireless sensor network applications often require domain experts, who may lack expertise in software engineering, to produce resource-constrained, concurrent, real-time software without the support of high-level software engineering facilities. The Insense language aims to address this mismatch by allowing the complexities of synchronisation, memory management and event-driven programming to be borne by the language implementation rather than by the programmer. The main contribution of this paper is all initial step towards verifying the correctness of WSN applications with a focus on concurrency. We model part of the synchronisation mechanism of the Insense language implementation using Promela constructs and verify its correctness using SPIN. We demonstrate how a previously published version of the mechanism is shown to be incorrect by SPIN, and give complete verification results for the revised mechanism.Preprin

Table-top creation of entangled multi-keV photon pairs via the Unruh effect

Electrons moving in a strong periodic electromagnetic field (e.g., laser or undulator) may convert quantum vacuum fluctuations into pairs of entangled photons, which can be understood as a signature of the Unruh effect. Apart from verifying this striking phenomenon, the considered effect may allow the construction of a table-top source for entangled photons (``photon pair laser'') and the associated quantum-optics applications in the multi-keV regime with near-future facilities. 04.62.+v, 12.20.Fv, 41.60.-m, 42.50.Dv.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur