Apr 14, 2008

Funded PhD Studentship in Feature Interaction Detection and Resolution - School of Computing, Dublin City University, Ireland

Lero is offering a funded studentship in the area of feature interaction detection and resolution based in the School of Computing, Dublin City University, Ireland. This project addresses the use of software verification techniques and tools to analyse the specifications of various features, to detect when possible interactions may occur, and to suggest possible resolutions for such interactions.

Feature interaction is where at least two features within a system, which operate successfully independently, interfere with each other when used together. Each of these features may be individually correctly designed and implemented, but when they are integrated together into the overall system, unexpected interactions between the features may arise. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that newer systems are usually built on top of legacy systems, thus greatly increasing the potential for interactions. It is obviously of enormous benefit if these potential interactions can be detected as early as possible in the software development process.

The main aim of this project is to make use of software verification techniques and tools to analyse the specifications of various features, to detect when possible interactions may occur, and to suggest possible resolutions for such interactions. Many of the features which are required in the automotive domain will involve eventuality requirements (e.g. if I continually apply the brakes, then eventually the car will stop). This implies that we require the use of a temporal logic when specifying features. A combination of theorem proving and model checking techniques will be applied to the specifications of features to verify these temporal properties. In those cases where an interaction of features is detected and the temporal properties cannot be verified, the cause of the interaction will be pinpointed, and approaches to the resolution of these interactions investigated.

If you have an honours degree in computing and a desire to do research on the specification of features in the automotive domain, please email:

Dr. Geoff Hamilton
Geoff.Hamilton(at)computing.dcu.ie.

Application Deadline - Applications accepted all year round

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