Experiments in Translating CSP∥B to Handel-C

This paper considers the issues involved in translating specifications described in the CSP∥B formal method into Handel-C. There have previously been approaches to translating CSP descriptions to Handel-C, and the work presented in this paper is part of a programme of work to extend it to include the B component of a CSP∥B description. Handel-C is a suitable target language because of its capability of programming communication and state, and its compilation route to hardware. The paper presents two case studies that investigate aspects of the translation: a buffer case study, and an abstract arbiter case study. These investigations have exposed a number of issues relating to the translation of the B component, and have identified a range of options available, informing more recent work on the development of a style for CSP∥B specifications particularly appropriate to translation to Handel-C.