Parameterized Model Checking of Token-Passing Systems

Abstract

We revisit the parameterized model checking problem for token-passing systems and specifications in indexed CTL ^∗\X. Emerson and Namjoshi (1995, 2003) have shown that parameterized model checking of indexed CTL ^∗\X in uni-directional token rings can be reduced to checking rings up to some cutoff size. Clarke et al. (2004) have shown a similar result for general topologies and indexed LTL \X, provided processes cannot choose the directions for sending or receiving the token.

We unify and substantially extend these results by systematically exploring fragments of indexed CTL ^∗\X with respect to general topologies. For each fragment we establish whether a cutoff exists, and for some concrete topologies, such as rings, cliques and stars, we infer small cutoffs. Finally, we show that the problem becomes undecidable, and thus no cutoffs exist, if processes are allowed to choose the directions in which they send or from which they receive the token.