System Level Formal Verification via Model Checking Driven Simulation

Abstract

We show how by combining Explicit Model Checking techniques and simulation it is possible to effectively carry out (bounded) System Level Formal Verification of large Hybrid Systems such as those defined using model-based tools like Simulink.We use an explicit model checker (namely, CMurphi) to generate all possible (finite horizon) simulation scenarios and then optimise the simulation of such scenarios by exploiting the ability of simulators to save and restore visited states. We show feasibility of our approach by presenting experimental results on the verification of the fuel control system example in the Simulink distribution. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that (exhaustive) verification has been carried out for hybrid systems of such a size.

Computing Personalised Treatments through In Silico Clinical Trials. A Case Study on Downregulation in Assisted Reproduction.

“…In the typical case (as ours) in which model inputs are drug administrations, VPH models can be abstracted into Discrete Event Systems (DESs) (see, e.g., [23,27]), i.e., continuous-time input-state-output deterministic causal dynamical systems [38] whose input functions are discrete event sequences.…”

“…Invariants and goals for the treatment being sought can be modelled as continuous-time monitors embedded within the VPH (DES) model, along the lines of [23,28]. Monitors observe the state of the system and check whether the properties of interest are satisfied.…”

“…As outlined in Section 4.1, such VPH models are hybrid systems that can be abstracted into Discrete Event Systems (DESs) (see, e.g., [23,27]) whose inputs are discrete event sequences. To find an optimal treatment means to find an optimal plan in hybrid domains, where the behaviour of the given system is described by both discrete and continuous quantities.…”

Research Trends in Formal Verification Process for Analog and Mixed Signal Design

“…Studies in this direction was carried out by Amla et al [10] who have describes eight bounded and unbounded techniques, and analyzes the performance of these algorithms on a large and diverse set of hardware benchmarks. Most recently, Mancini et al [11] showed how by combining Explicit Model Checking techniques and simulation it is possible to carry effectively out (bounded) System Level Formal Verification of large Hybrid Systems such as those defined using model-based tools like Simulink. The authors use an explicit model checker (namely, CMurphi) to generate all possible (finite horizon) simulation scenarios and then optimize the simulation of such scenarios by exploiting the ability of simulators to save and restore visited states.…”

Formal Specification and Quantitative Analysis of a Constellation of Navigation Satellites

“…Thus the verification is automated and complete. Moreover, the approach of system level formal verification to exploit a simulator in order to carry out formal verification has been further developed in [32,33] and applied to biological contexts. Finally, all these approaches use the explicit model checker CMurphi [34].…”