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Ramifications of metastability in bit variables explored via Simpson's 4-slot mechanism

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stephen Paynter, Neil Henderson, Dr James Armstrong

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Abstract

Protocol descriptions often fail to take metastability into account. Metastability, however, can undermine protocols which depend on shared bits. In this paper a series of increasingly realistic models of bits are developed in CSP to explore the implications of metastability for Simpson's 4-slot asynchronous communication mechanism. It is shown that the 4-slot mechanism with realistic bit models preserves data-coherence, freshness, and sequencing, and is Lamport-atomic. We demonstrate that metastability can undermine the correctness of protocols demonstrated correct on the assumption that bits are Lamport-safe; furthermore, realistic bit models can demonstrate that protocols are correct which Lamport-safe bit models would suggest were incorrect or impossible.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Paynter SE, Henderson N, Armstrong JM

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Formal Aspects of Computing

Year: 2004

Volume: 16

Issue: 4

Pages: 332-351

ISSN (print): 0934-5043

ISSN (electronic): 1433-299X

Publisher: Springer UK

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00165-004-0042-9

DOI: 10.1007/s00165-004-0042-9

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