An object-oriented model for specification, prototyping, implementation and reuse

This paper presents a hierarchical, object-oriented model as a basis for reuse of components in the design process of digital systems. The model forms a uniform knowledge base which consists of formal descriptions about functional, qualitative, and quantitative properties of systems and components. It supports the synthesis of systems from the described components. Starting at a system specification different models and descriptions are generated for simulation, prototyping, analysis and high level synthesis.