SPECIFICATIONS IN STOCHASTIC-PROCESS ALGEBRA FOR A ROBOT CONTROL PROBLEM

We present a novel approach to specification of dynamic systems. This approach, a stochastic extension of process algebra, facilitates quant itative, or performance, analysis, in addition to qualitative analysis . For unreliable systems this integrated approach encourages the inves tigation of the impact of functional characteristics on the performanc e of the system. Throughout the paper details of the stochastic proces s algebra are made concrete via an example: a robot control problem. T wo specifications are presented of this problem. The first, an idealiz ation, does not represent the possibility of failures. The second mode ls both failures and recoveries. Each is solved to obtain performance measures for the system.