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Using UML-B and U2B for formal refinement of digital components

Using UML-B and U2B for formal refinement of digital components
Using UML-B and U2B for formal refinement of digital components
In this paper we look at using formal methods to verify the transformation of a digital design from abstract functional specification to bit level implementation. As both authors are in-experienced in formal proof we saw this as a test of the practicality of introducing proof tools in an industrial setting rather than an exemplar of such methods Rigorous verification is desirable in digital design because mistakes can be extremely costly. However, there are drawbacks and barriers to introducing formal notations. Formal notations are abstraction hungry, viscous and require insight, experience and look-ahead. Hence we specialise the UML to alleviate these problems by providing a semi-graphical form of the formal notation B based on existing visual modelling tools. With a small case study, we show the use of B-UML using an event style of modelling to refine a macro level function into a cascade of single bit cells. We attempt to prove the refinement with the assistance of available proof tools but find that the problem is deceptively difficult
UML, B, formal methods, verification, digital design
Snook, Colin
b2055316-9f7a-4b31-8aa1-be0710046af2
Sandstrom, Kim
bcf7eaea-f5b9-40dc-86af-dc22709fad99
Snook, Colin
b2055316-9f7a-4b31-8aa1-be0710046af2
Sandstrom, Kim
bcf7eaea-f5b9-40dc-86af-dc22709fad99

Snook, Colin and Sandstrom, Kim (2003) Using UML-B and U2B for formal refinement of digital components. Forum on specification & design languages, Frankfurt. 23 - 26 Sep 2003.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

In this paper we look at using formal methods to verify the transformation of a digital design from abstract functional specification to bit level implementation. As both authors are in-experienced in formal proof we saw this as a test of the practicality of introducing proof tools in an industrial setting rather than an exemplar of such methods Rigorous verification is desirable in digital design because mistakes can be extremely costly. However, there are drawbacks and barriers to introducing formal notations. Formal notations are abstraction hungry, viscous and require insight, experience and look-ahead. Hence we specialise the UML to alleviate these problems by providing a semi-graphical form of the formal notation B based on existing visual modelling tools. With a small case study, we show the use of B-UML using an event style of modelling to refine a macro level function into a cascade of single bit cells. We attempt to prove the refinement with the assistance of available proof tools but find that the problem is deceptively difficult

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More information

Published date: 2003
Additional Information: Event Dates: September 23 - 26, 2003
Venue - Dates: Forum on specification & design languages, Frankfurt, 2003-09-23 - 2003-09-26
Keywords: UML, B, formal methods, verification, digital design
Organisations: Electronic & Software Systems

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 258712
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/258712
PURE UUID: bffe5f13-fe9e-4a66-9319-c769a4bc0f75
ORCID for Colin Snook: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0210-0983

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 05 Jan 2004
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:12

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Contributors

Author: Colin Snook ORCID iD
Author: Kim Sandstrom

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