Space-time process algebra with asynchronous communication

Abstract

We introduce a process algebra that concerns the timed behaviour of distributed systems with a known spatial distribution. This process algebra provides a communication mechanism that deals with the fact that a datum sent at one point in space can only be received at another point in space at the point in time that the datum reaches that point in space. The variable-binding integration operator used in related process algebras to model such a communication mechanism is absent from this process algebra. This is considered an advantage because the variable-binding operator does not really fit in with an algebraic approach and a process algebra with this operator is not firmly founded in established metatheory.

32 pages, revision of v1, presentation improved at several places, definitions of eti and lti on page 10 corrected