Parametric probabilistic transition systems for system design and analysis

Abstract

We develop a model of parametric probabilistic transition Systems (PPTSs), where probabilities associated with transitions may be parameters. We show how to find instances of the parameters that satisfy a given property and instances that either maximize or minimize the probability of reaching a certain state. As an application, we model a probabilistic non-repudiation protocol with a PPTS. The theory we develop allows us to find instances that maximize the probability that the protocol ends in a fair state (no participant has an advantage over the others). © British Computer Society 2007.