Have you ever experienced software systems failing? Websites crash, calendar not synchronising, or even a power blackout. Of course you have! But did you know that many of these errors are the result of communication errors either within a system or between systems? Depending on the system, the impact of software failures can be huge, even resulting in massive economic damage or loss of lives. Software, and in particular the communication between software-intensive systems, is very complex and very difficult to get right. However, we need dependability in the systems we use, directly or indirectly, to support us in our everyday lives.
System Validation: Automata and behavioural equivalences
Give your career the gift of Coursera Plus with $160 off, billed annually. Save today.
System Validation: Automata and behavioural equivalences
Instructor: Jan Friso Groote
11,056 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.4
(182 reviews)
Intermediate level
Some related experience required
3 hours to complete
3 weeks at 1 hour a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
3 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 3 modules in this course
System Validation is the field that studies the fundamentals of system communication and information processing. It allows automated analysis based on behavioural models of a system to see if a system works correctly. We want to guarantee that the systems does exactly what it is supposed to do. The techniques put forward in system validaton allow to prove the absence of errors. It allows to design embedded system behaviour that is structurally sound and as a side effect enforces you to make the behaviour simple and insightful. This means that the systems are not only behaving correctly, but are also much easier to maintain and adapt.’Automata and behavioural equivalences' shows you how to look at system behaviour as state machines. It discusses behavioural equivalences and illustrate these in a number of examples and quizzes. This module introduces automata or labelled transition systems as the basic way to model the behaviour of software controlled systems. It subsequently addresses the question when such behaviours are equivalent. Reading material. J.F. Groote and M.R. Mousavi. Modeling and analysis of communicating systems. The MIT Press, 2014.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment
This module shows the most important equivalences that express when the behaviour of two automata can be considered to be equivalent. It will become obvious that there are multiple of such notions, all fit for use under different circumstances. Furthermore, the all-important notion of the internal or hidden action is introduced with some associated behavioural equivalences.
What's included
6 videos2 readings1 assignment
This module elaborates on the equivalences provided earlier. It is shown how it can be applied, especially to the alternating bit protocol. Furthermore, a number of additional equivalences are introduced.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.4 (25 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Design and Product
Princeton University
University of Colorado Boulder
Cisco Learning and Certifications
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
Showing 3 of 182
4.4
182 reviews
- 5 stars
65.93%
- 4 stars
18.13%
- 3 stars
10.98%
- 2 stars
3.29%
- 1 star
1.64%
New to Design and Product? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Please look at the reading material of the introduction of this course (first week) and download the pdf on the Blended Master Programme Overview for more information.
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.