Model Checking Distributed Control Systems Based on Software Architecture

Distributed control systems are a category of high complex systems that include a large number of devices controlled and harmonized by computer systems. Their reliability and functional correctness always need to be guaranteed as their mission-critical feature. The analysis process for complex control systems consists of proving or verifying that the designed system indeed meets certain specifications. However, both the design and analysis may be formidable due to the complexity and magnitude of the system. From an analysis perspective, the complexity of a system can be reduced by imposing a hierarchical structure and abstraction on the architectural design. Currently, model checking has been demonstrated by more and more successes. It is an effective way to verify that the construction of a complex system satisfies to the requirements of reliability and correctness. In this paper, an approach for formally analyzing distributed control systems at architectural level by applying software architecture description and model checking techniques is presented. Through study on a building comprehensive control system, it is shown that the method could improve the quality of design of distributed control systems.