Specifying aspects of multimedia in LOTOS

Abstract

The formal specification language LOTOS provides a model of systems where the temporal ordering of actions is specified. LOTOS typically does not deal with the specific times at when actions can occur. Most approaches for specifying real time systems in LOTOS have either extended the language, e.g. with timing aspects, or used the language in conjunction with a temporal logic. We argue that such approaches are not always necessary and that LOTOS is much more flexible than sometimes claimed. To support our arguments we show how LOTOS can be used to specify a multitude of timing issues that can be associated with the production and consumption of multimedia flows.