Feature Interaction Detection: a LOTOS-based approach

By Q. Fu, P. Harnois, L. Logrippo, J. Sincennes

Telecommunications Software Engineering Research Group
School of Information Technology and Engineering
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ont. Canada K1N 6N5

Abstract

A methodology to detect feature interactions in the design of telephone
systems is presented. First, the system with its features is specified
in LOTOS. With the use of tools, the specification is then expanded
into a state transition model, representing either the entire global
state space or significant portions of it. Properties describe proper
system and feature behavior; violations to these properties are
symptoms of feature interaction. Observers, watchdogs, and trace
analysis tools are constructed to check for deviations from these
properties. These processes are used to search the state transitions,
both during and after the construction of the state transition model.
Traces presenting violation of properties are printed as Message
Sequence Charts.