Automatic implementation of the ISO FTAM protocol based on an integrated specification of Estelle and ASN.1

Abstract

There is a huge demand for methods that enable communication protocols to be speedily implemented. Application layer Protocol Data Units (PDUs) are specified in Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1). Any application protocol specification is not complete until it includes the PDU type definitions and operations for manipulating, comparing and assigning ASN.1 values. Given that internationally standardized Formal Description Techniques (FDTs) do not readily support ASN.1, an automatic implementation of an application protocol cannot be easily achieved; its development can thus be a long and error-prone task. This paper describes the details of an automatic implementation of the ISO FTAM protocol using an integrated Estelle and ASN.1 specification and the software system, EASE (Estelle and ASN.1 Software Environment) which supports such a specification, demonstrating how this long and error-prone process can be addressed; an evaluation of the work done is also included. It presents a success story of the use of FDTs, in particular Estelle, for the speedy implementation of an application protocol so that developers in the communications industry have more confidence in using FDTs for their communication software developments.