Distributed and Embedded Systems (DES)

The research of the group concerns modelling, analysis and realization of computer programs, with an emphasis on distributed and embedded systems. This includes the following areas:

  • Semantic theories for modelling the behavior of computer programs and systems.
  • Design, implementation and models for analysis of distributed systems and networks.
  • Algorithms, methods and tools for verification and validation of programs and systems.

BRICS Logo

In its present form the Distributed and Embedded Systems group was created in  1997 by a fusion of the two previous groups  of Computer Systems  and  Formal  Systems. Since 1993 the group has been part of BRICS, the Center for Basic Research in Computer Science (BRICS) together with colleagues at Århus University.

CISS Logo

In 2001 the Centre for Integrated Software Systems (CISS) was established in collaboration with the Institute for Electronic Systems at Aalborg University. The focus of CISS is to create an industry oriented research centre of excellence with a distinctively visible profile within software construction and embedded systems, making use of and creating new research within areas already existing in the group. Consequently, the research of the group spans a wide range from development of the semantic foundations of computing and concurrency to contributions to the technological state of the art within embedded, real-time and networking systems. To conduct quality research within such a wide spectrum is a challenging task.  However, the common emphasis on distributed and concurrent systems focuses the activities within the group.

DES Logo

Each of the three research areas mentioned above constitutes a subject in its own right. Moreover, the  areas are interrelated in a number of ways: semantic models offer  important guidelines for  development of languages and  paradigms for distributed systems;  semantic models are necessary prerequisites for development of verification algorithms and tools; the  development of validation tools provides new insight into the underlying semantic models on one hand, and are applied in environments for the construction and analysis of distributed systems; the evolving nature of distributed systems provide insight to the strengths and  weakness of existing semantic models,  and serve as inspiration for development of new ones; finally, distributed systems truly expose the limits of given verification algorithms.

The current research of the group includes the following activities:

  • Concurrency Theory: Semantic theories and meta-theories for concurrent processes and their logical properties. Semantic theories for processes whose communication topology changes dynamically, including security protocols. Study of novel extensions such as hybrid, real-time, and probabilistic processes.
  • Verification and Validation: Development and implementation of data structures, algorithms and tools for model-checking embedded systems and real-time systems. Applications to communication protocols, control programs, and planning and scheduling.
  • Embedded Systems Methodology: Methodologies for specification, analysis and testing of embedded systems. Modelling and analysis of industrial case studies. Theoretical foundations of embedded and hybrid systems.
  • Networks & Operating Systems: Analysis and construction of services and protocols for computer networks, including grid computing and high-performance computing. Real-time and embedded operating systems.