First order Büchi automata and their application to verification of LTL specifications

Abstract

Büchi automata have applications in formal verification, e.g., in deciding whether a system satisfies given properties. We provide a definition of Büchi automata based on first order logics for representing infinite state systems, and investigate rules for proving emptiness and non-emptiness of such automata. We then apply these rules to solve the problem of verifying correctness of concurrent transition systems, leading to a relatively complete approach for proving and disproving LTL (Linear Temporal Logic) specifications. This approach overcomes weaknesses of existing work based on well-founded sets in the sense that the relative completeness does not depend on additional specification for ensuring progress of non-stuttering transitions. On the practical aspect, we provide a set of examples with an experimental verification condition generation tool to demonstrate the potential applicability of the approach for the verification of concurrent systems.