Embedding time granularity in logical specifications of real-time systems

The paper extends the TRIO logical specification formalism with the notion of time granularity. Such an extension provides the specifier with the ability of dealing with different time granularities within a single specification. It allows one to maintain the description of the dynamics of processes that evolve according to different time constants as separate as possible. It also makes it possible to model the dynamics of a given process with respect to different time scales. The paper first introduces time granularity in a completely general way, that is, it defines the weakest semantics of time granularity. Then a number of possible specializations of such a semantics taking into account both common-sense and domain-specific knowledge are identified. They result in a taxonomic classification of predicates that makes the formalism more expressive and easier to use