Formal verification of PLC software

We offer advanced tools and services to verify Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) software with mathematical rigour — far beyond the capabilities of traditional testing methods.

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Verifying the most critical infrastructure

Programmable Logic Controllers operate in critical domains, making consequences of software defects potentially severe: endangering lives, harming the environment, or disrupting vital services. This makes our clients spanning a broad range of industries that share a single concern: the risk of incidents caused by PLC software defects.

Verified software for reliable power systems

Energy sector

PLCs control wind farms, smart grids, and power plants. Formal verification of their software contributes to safeguarding the reliability of energy systems.

Wind turbine
Software that keeps our feet dry

Storm surge barriers

Storm surge barriers defend millions from flooding. Reliability is the cornerstone of their civil engineering. The PLC software controlling them demands the same rigour — achieved through formal verification.

Maeslantkering storm surge barrier
No collisions. No derailments.

Railway

Railways rely on PLCs for signalling, interlocking, and level crossings. Even a single defect can endanger lives. Formal verification provides high assurance that these safety-critical systems behave as intended.

Rail yard
Safe software for high-risk operations

Petrochemicals

Petrochemical plants depend on PLCs to control pumps, valves, and emergency shutdowns. Defects in these systems can lead to explosions or toxic leaks. Formal verification provides the rigour these systems demand.

Petrochemical plant
Safe passage through correct code

Canal locks

PLCs control the gates and sluices that keep canal locks operating safely. A software defect could halt shipping routes or cause accidents. Safe passage depends on PLC software as much as on concrete and steel.

Lorentzsluizen — Kornwerderzand, The Netherlands
Downtime reduction trough formal verification

Manufacturing

PLC software defects in manufacturing can halt production, damage equipment, and disrupt entire supply chains. Formal verification reduces the risk of costly downtime.

Car assembly line
Taking risks, safely.

Amusement rides

Amusement rides operate under strict safety regulations. Proving compliance requires more than testing alone. Formal verification provides confidence that PLC software satisfies the highest safety requirements.

Rollercoaster
A human need, depending on PLC software

Water & wastewater

Water — essential to survive. Depending on PLC software for many steps in treatment and distribution. Protecting public health and the environment starts with reliable control software.

Waste water treatment plant

The benefits of formal verification

With traditional program testing, one can only test a limited number of scenarios. As a result, software defects can slip through unnoticed. In contrast, formal verification uses mathematical techniques to exhaustively verify that a PLC program behaves correctly in all possible situations — including edge cases no human tester could foresee.


    Exhaustive analysis
    Go beyond testing by checking every possible input scenario, revealing edge cases no human could anticipate.
    Eliminate costly defects early
    Find critical defects in PLC software before it ever runs, preventing unplanned downtime, damage, or expensive rework later on.
    Clear specifications
    Define precise, verifiable requirements from the start, developing an unambiguous understanding of how the system must behave.
    Safety & compliance
    Produce traceable, auditable evidence of software correctness, supporting compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements.
    Confidence in change
    Modify legacy software with certainty by detecting unintended side-effects before they reach production..

Our tools & services

Our toolset offers a practical way to apply formal verification to real-world PLC software. Engineers provide their PLC programs and (formally expressed) requirements. We then use model checking to verify whether the program satisfies these requirements — exhaustively and with mathematical precision. While the tooling is designed for clients and engineers to use independently, we offer a broad range of services to help you integrate and scale it effectively, including:

  • Identifying and formalising the critical requirements of your PLC programs
  • Extending and optimising the toolset for your specific needs
  • Root cause analysis when requirements are not satisfied
  • Structured reporting to support internal documentation, compliance, and auditability

With a strong background in industrial automation, we speak your language. This enables us to work closely together, making verification practical, fast, and insightful.

Contact us and book a demo

Please contact us at info@indubyte.com for more information and to receive a demo of our toolset and offerings.