A Boolean approach to unbounded, fully symbolic model checking of timed automata

We present a new approach to unbounded, fully symbolic model checking of timed automata that is based on an efficient translation of quantified separation logic to quantified Boolean logic. Our technique preserves the interpretation of clocks over the reals and can check any property expressed in the timed μ calculus. The core operations of eliminating quantifiers over real variables and deciding separation logic are respectively translated to eliminating quantifiers on Boolean variables and checking Boolean satisfiability (SAT). We can thus leverage well-known techniques for Boolean formulas, including Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) and recent advances in SAT and SAT-based quantifier elimination. We present preliminary empirical results for a BDD-based implementation of our method. This research was supported in part by a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship and by ARO grant DAAD19-01-1-0485. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright annotation thereon. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors, and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE MAR 2003 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2003 to 00-00-2003 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE A Boolean Approach to Unbounded, Fully Symbolic Model Checking of Timed Automata 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER