Comparing expressibility of normed BPA and normed BPP processes

We present an exact characterization of those transition systems which can be equivalently (up to bisimilarity) defined by the syntax of normed BPA and normed BPP processes. We give such a characterization for the subclasses of normed BPA and normed BPP processes as well. Next we demonstrate the decidability of the problem whether for a given normed BPA process there is some unspecified normed BPP process such that and are bisimilar. The algorithm is polynomial. Furthermore, we show that if the answer to the previous question is positive, then (an example of) the process is effectively constructible. Analogous algorithms are provided for normed BPP processes. Simplified versions of the mentioned algorithms which work for normed BPA and normed BPP are given too. As a simple consequence we obtain the decidability of bisimilarity in the union of normed BPA and normed BPP processes. Received: 3 June 1997     

Deciding probabilistic bisimilarity over infinite-state probabilistic systems

We prove that probabilistic bisimilarity is decidable over probabilistic extensions of BPA and BPP processes. For normed subclasses of probabilistic BPA and BPP processes we obtain polynomial-time algorithms. Further, we show that probabilistic bisimilarity between probabilistic pushdown automata and finite-state systems is decidable in exponential time. If the number of control states in PDA is bounded by a fixed constant, then the algorithm needs only polynomial time. The work has been supported by the research centre Institute for Theoretical Computer Science (ITI), project No. 1M0545.     

Weak bisimilarity and regularity of context-free processes is EXPTIME-hard

We show that checking weak bisimulation equivalence of two context-free processes (also called BPA-processes) is EXPTIME-hard, even under the condition that the processes are normed. Furthermore, checking weak regularity (finiteness up to weak bisimilarity) for context-free processes is EXPTIME-hard as well. Adding a finite control of the minimal non-trivial size of 2 to the BPA process already makes weak bisimilarity undecidable.     

Decidability of Branching Bisimulation on Normed Commutative Context-Free Processes

We investigate normed commutative context-free processes (Basic Parallel Processes). We show that branching bisimilarity admits the bounded response property: in the Bisimulation Game, Duplicator always has a response leading to a process of size linearly bounded with respect to the Spoiler’s process. The linear bound is effective, which leads to decidability of branching bisimilarity. For weak bisimilarity, we are able merely to show existence of some linear bound, which is not sufficient for decidability. We conjecture however that the same effective bound holds for weak bisimilarity as well. We suppose that further elaboration of novel techniques developed in this paper may be sufficient to demonstrate decidability.     

非确定型离散事件系统双模拟控制的实现

近年来,双模拟等价关系与离散事件系统监控理论相结合的研究引起了国内外许多学者的广泛关注.本文针对作者在前期工作中提出的非确定型离散事件系统的双模拟控制机制,进一步探讨其实现问题.利用投影映射对系统规范说明语言进行等价类划分,构造了一棵计算树,得到了一个判断规范说明是否具有基于模拟关系可观性的多项式算法,证明了双模拟控制机制是多项式时间算法可实现的.同时,通过对控制器配备具有存储和判断功能的模拟关系识别器,阐述了这种双模拟控制机制是物理可实现的.     

Branching bisimulation for probabilistic systems: Characteristics and decidability

We address the concept of abstraction in the setting of probabilistic reactive systems, and study its formal underpinnings for the strictly alternating model of Hansson. In particular, we define the notion of branching bisimilarity and study its properties by studying two other equivalence relations, viz. coloured trace equivalence and branching bisimilarity using maximal probabilities. We show that both alternatives coincide with branching bisimilarity. The alternative characterisations have their own merits and focus on different aspects of branching bisimilarity. Coloured trace equivalence can be understood without knowledge of probability theory and is independent of the notion of a scheduler. Branching bisimilarity, rephrased in terms of maximal probabilities gives rise to an algorithm of polynomial complexity for deciding the equivalence. Together they give a better understanding of branching bisimilarity. Furthermore, we show that the notions of branching bisimilarity in the alternating model of Hansson and in the non-alternating model of Segala differ: branching bisimilarity in the latter setting turns out to discriminate between systems that are intuitively branching bisimilar.     

Complexity of Weak Bisimilarity and Regularity for BPA and BPP

It is an open problem whether weak bisimilarity is decidable for Basic Process Algebra (BPA) and Basic Parallel Processes (BPP). A PSPACE lower bound for BPA and NP lower bound for BPP have been demonstrated by Stribrna. Mayr achieved recently a result, saying that weak bisimilarity for BPP is Π^p₂-hard. We improve this lower bound to PSPACE, moreover for the restricted class of normed BPP.Weak regularity (finiteness) of BPA and BPP is not known to be decidable either. In the case of BPP there is a Π^p₂-hardness result by Mayr, which we improve to PSPACE. No lower bound has previously been established for BPA. We demonstrate DP-hardness, which in particular implies both NP and co-NP-hardness.In each of the bisimulation/regularity problems we consider also the classes of normed processes.Note: full version of the paper appears as [18].     

Simulation Preorder over Simple Process Algebras

We consider the problem of simulation preorder/equivalence between infinite-state processes and finite-state ones. First, we describe a general method how to utilize the decidability of bisimulation problems to solve (certain instances of) the corresponding simulation problems. For certain process classes, the method allows us to design effective reductions of simulation problems to their bisimulation counterparts and some new decidability results for simulation have already been obtained in this way. Then we establish the decidability border for the problem of simulation preorder/equivalence between infinite-state processes and finite-state ones w.r.t. the hierarchy of process rewrite systems. In particular, we show that simulation preorder (in both directions) and simulation equivalence are decidable in EXPTIME between pushdown processes and finite-state ones. On the other hand, simulation preorder is undecidable between PA and finite-state processes in both directions. These results also hold for those PA and finite-state processes which are deterministic and normed, and thus immediately extend to trace preorder. Regularity (finiteness) w.r.t. simulation and trace equivalence is also shown to be undecidable for PA. Finally, we prove that simulation preorder (in both directions) and simulation equivalence are intractable between all classes of infinite-state systems (in the hierarchy of process rewrite systems) and finite-state ones. This result is obtained by showing that the problem whether a BPA (or BPP) process simulates a finite-state one is PSPACE-hard and the other direction is co -hard; consequently, simulation equivalence between BPA (or BPP) and finite-state processes is also co -hard.     

A fully abstract semantics for value-passing CCS for trees

We propose a fully abstract semantics for valuepassing CCS for trees (VCCTS) with the feature that processes are located at the vertices of a graph whose edges describe possible interaction capabilities. The operational semantics is given both in terms of a reduction semantics and in terms of a labelled transition semantics. We develop a theory of behavioral equivalences by introducing both weak barbed congruence and weak bisimilarity. In particular, we show that, on image-finite processes, weak barbed congruence coincides with weak bisimilarity. To illustrate potential applications and the powerful expressiveness of VCCTS, we formally compare VCCTS with some well-known models, e.g., dynamic pushdown networks, top-down tree automata and value-passing CCS.     

Bisimilarity enforcing supervisory control for deterministic specifications

This paper studies the supervisory control of nondeterministic discrete event systems to achieve a bisimulation equivalence between the controlled system and the deterministic specification. In particular, a necessary and sufficient condition is given for the existence of a bisimilarity enforcing supervisor, and a polynomial algorithm is developed to verify such a condition. When the existence condition holds, a bisimilarity enforcing supervisor is constructed. Otherwise, two methods are provided for synthesizing supremal feasible sub-specifications.     

Complexity of Weak Bisimilarity and Regularity for BPA and BPP

It is an open problem whether weak bisimilarity is decidable for Basic Process Algebra (BPA) and Basic Parallel Processes (BPP). A PSPACE lower bound for BPA and NP lower bound for BPP have been demonstrated by Stribrna. Mayr achieved recently a result, saying that weak bisimilarity for BPP is Π^p₂-hard. We improve this lower bound to PSPACE, moreover for the restricted class of normed BPP.Weak regularity (finiteness) of BPA and BPP is not known to be decidable either. In the case of BPP there is a Π^p₂-hardness result by Mayr, which we improve to PSPACE. No lower bound has previously been established for BPA. We demonstrate DP-hardness, which in particular implies both NP and co-NP-hardness.In each of the bisimulation/regularity problems we consider also the classes of normed processes.Note: full version of the paper appears as [18].     

Bisimilarity control of partially observed nondeterministic discrete event systems and a test algorithm

In this paper, the bisimilarity control of discrete event systems (DESs) under partial observations is investigated, where the plant and the specification are allowed to be nondeterministic. A notation of simulation-based controllability and a synchronization scheme for the supervised system are formalized based on the simulation relation between the specification and the plant. It is shown that the existence of bisimilarity supervisors is characterized by the notions of the simulation-based controllability and the language observability, which extends the traditional results of supervisory control from language equivalence to bisimulation equivalence. In addition, a polynomial algorithm to test the simulation-based controllability is developed by constructing a computing tree. This algorithm together with the test of language observability can be used to check the existence of bisimilarity supervisors.     

Process algebra approach to reasoning about concurrent actions

A reasonable transition rule is proposed for synchronized actions and some equational properties ofbisimilarity and weak bisimilarity in the process algebra for reasoning about concurrent actions are presented.     

Refining the Undecidability Border of Weak Bisimilarity

Weak bisimilarity is one of the most studied behavioural equivalences. This equivalence is undecidable for pushdown processes (PDA), process algebras (PA), and multiset automata (MSA, also known as parallel pushdown processes, PPDA). Its decidability is an open question for basic process algebras (BPA) and basic parallel processes (BPP). We move the undecidability border towards these classes by showing that the equivalence remains undecidable for weakly extended versions of BPA and BPP. In fact, we show that the weak bisimulation equivalence problem is undecidable even for normed subclasses of BPA and BPP extended with a finite constraint system.     

On the expressiveness and decidability of higher-order process calculi

In higher-order process calculi, the values exchanged in communications may contain processes. A core calculus of higher-order concurrency is studied; it has only the operators necessary to express higher-order communications: input prefix, process output, and parallel composition. By exhibiting a deterministic encoding of Minsky machines, the calculus is shown to be Turing complete. Therefore its termination problem is undecidable. Strong bisimilarity, however, is shown to be decidable. Furthermore, the main forms of strong bisimilarity for higher-order processes (higher-order bisimilarity, context bisimilarity, normal bisimilarity, barbed congruence) coincide. They also coincide with their asynchronous versions. A sound and complete axiomatization of bisimilarity is given. Finally, bisimilarity is shown to become undecidable if at least four static (i.e., top-level) restrictions are added to the calculus.     

Undecidability of domino games and hhp-bisimilarity

History preserving bisimilarity (hp-bisimilarity) and hereditary history preserving bisimilarity (hhp-bisimilarity) are behavioural equivalences taking into account causal relationships between events of concurrent systems. Their prominent feature is that they are preserved under action refinement, an operation important for the top-down design of concurrent systems. It is shown that, in contrast to hp-bisimilarity, checking hhp-bisimilarity for finite labelled asynchronous transition systems is undecidable, by a reduction from the halting problem of 2-counter machines. To make the proof more transparent a novel intermediate problem of checking domino bisimilarity for origin constrained tiling systems is introduced and shown undecidable. It is also shown that the unlabelled domino bisimilarity problem is undecidable, which implies undecidability of hhp-bisimilarity for unlabelled finite asynchronous systems. Moreover, it is argued that the undecidability of hhp-bisimilarity holds for finite elementary net systems and 1-safe Petri nets.     

Partially-commutative context-free processes: Expressibility and tractability

Bisimulation equivalence is decidable in polynomial time for both sequential and commutative normed context-free processes, known as BPA and BPP, respectively. Despite apparent similarity between the two classes, different algorithmic techniques were used in each case. We provide one polynomial-time algorithm that works in a superclass of both normed BPA and BPP. It is derived in the setting of partially-commutative context-free processes, a new process class introduced in the paper. It subsumes both BPA and BPP and seems to be of independent interest. Expressibility issue of the new class, in comparison with the normed PA class, is also tackled in the paper.     

Equivalences for Silent Transitions in Probabilistic Systems: (Extended Abstract)

We address abstraction in the setting of probabilistic reactive systems, and study its formal underpinnings for the strictly alternating model. In particular, we define the notion of branching bisimilarity and study its properties by studying two other equivalence relations, viz. coloured trace equivalence and branching bisimilarity using maximal probabilities. We show that both alternatives coincide with branching bisimilarity. The alternative characterisations have their own merits and focus on different aspects of branching bisimilarity. Together they give a better understanding of branching bisimilarity. A crucial observation, and, in fact a major motivation for this work is that the notions of branching bisimilarity in the alternating and in the non-alternating model differ, and that the latter one discriminates between systems that are intuitively branching bisimilar.     

Resource bisimilarity and graded bisimilarity coincide

Resource bisimilarity has been proposed in the literature on concurrency theory as a notion of bisimilarity over labeled transition systems that takes into account the number of choices that a system has. Independently, g-bisimilarity has been defined over Kripke models as a suitable notion of bisimilarity for graded modal logic. This note shows that these two notions of bisimilarity coincide over image-finite Kripke frames.