Application of formal description techniques in the framework of factory communications

In this work the protocol WorldFIP for industrial communication networks is specified with the formal specification language LOTOS. The paper introduces the main features of WorldFIP particularly those related to its data link layer. The methodology used and the description of specification are explained with the data types implemented. Following that, instances of tests developed for verifying the specification are described. A simulation environment is obtained for the WorldFIP protocol and an instance of simulation is shown. This allows us to detect a lack of efficiency in the protocol with the transfer of messages. Results and new guidelines of this work are explained. The LOTOS specification of the WorldFIP protocol shows that formal description techniques provide powerful CAE tools for advanced designs in the field of industrial communications.