Formal techniques for automatically generating marshalling code from high-level specifications

This paper presents the application of automated code generation to the development of marshalling code (also known as presentation conversion code). The techniques and automated tools as well as the results of an industrial application are described. Marshalling code amounts to approximately half of the signalling software in subscriber radio, and as such constitutes approximately 20% of the total software in a radio. Development of marshalling code is considered to be a difficult, error-prone, and labor-intensive task. We have successfully developed significant portions of the infrastructure and subscriber software for the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) protocol standard through automated code generation techniques using the process outlined in this paper.