An Algebra for Cyber-Physical Systems

ABSTRACT

In a cyber-physical system, each new component could potentially affect the performance of many other components and so we must have a means of expressing and evaluating proposed system designs and innovation. In this paper we propose a language for expressing the elements of a cyber-physical system (CPS) and an operation of 'composing' system components that we will show is a simple algebra that is capable of helping planners and engineers conceive of and design the CPS of the future. The emphasis on behaviour and interaction of this formal approach can ultimately enable studies of simulation, composition and integration of these systems. This 'CPS Algebra' is based on a formal language that offers the expressive power needed to capture the observable behaviour of CPS components, allows the composition of existing CPS, and supports a methodology for the study of critical properties of CPS such as safety and security.