Metamodeling for model- based system design

Metamodeling is defined, according to Wikipedia, as the construction of a collection of concepts within a certain domain. A model is an abstraction of phenomena in the real world; a metamodel is yet another abstraction that highlights the properties of the model itself. Metamodeling originated in the field of mathematical logic, and software engineering research has been very actively using this approach for model-driven software design. It has been increasingly used in electronic system design in recent years as a result of our never-ending need to move the abstraction level of design ever higher. Metamodeling tools and methodologies have recently been employed in creating design frameworks for SoCs. Some experts believe that there will be increasing use of metamodels for supporting automated system integration, system test generation, and verification because these models provide information that enable tools to efficiently explore system design alternatives as well as generate verification test benches.