Abstract
The numerous intellectual property blocks of a
system-on-a-chip must be integrated so that they can meet
system-specific requirements. However, such integration is not
guaranteed due to mismatches between IP protocols. Protocol
conversion algorithms can generate converters that can guarantee
correct system behaviour, but the implementation of converters
on-chip remains an open question. IPs can be modelled at several
layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. Current
protocol conversion algorithms either focus on a single layer or
worse, blur the boundaries between these layers. We propose a
formal framework that allows generating implementable converters
for IP protocols modelled at different OSI layers using any
existing converter generation algorithm. We apply the framework
to an existing conversion algorithm and discuss how it can be as
readily used with other algorithms.
