An algebraic approach to the specification of stochastic systems

TitleAn algebraic approach to the specification of stochastic systems
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1998
AuthorsD'Argenio, PR, Katoen, J-P, Brinksma, E
EditorGries, D, de Roever, WP
Conference NameProgramming Concepts and Methods, IFIP TC2/WG2.2,2.3 International Conference on Programming Concepts and Methods (PROCOMET '98) 8-12 June 1998, Shelter Island, New York, USA
Series TitleIFIP Conference Proceedings
Volume125
Pagination126-147
PublisherChapman {&} Hall
ISBN Number0-412-83760-9
AbstractWe introduce a framework to study stochastic systems, i.e. systems in which the time of occurrence of activities is a general random variable. We introduce and discuss in depth a stochastic process algebra (named ) adequate to specify and analyse those systems. In order to give semantics to , we also introduce a model that is an extension of traditional automata with clocks which are basically random variables: the stochastic automata model. We show that this model and are equally expressive. Although stochastic automata are adequate to analyse systems since they are finite objects, they are still too coarse to serve as concrete semantic objects. Therefore, we introduce a type of probabilistic transition system that can deal with arbitrary probability spaces. In addition, we give a finite axiomatisation for that is sound for the several semantic notions we deal with, and complete for the finest of them. Moreover, an expansion law is straightforwardly derived.
DOI10.1007/978-0-387-35358-6_12
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