The signal processing algorithms might be mapped into software for digital signal processors, or onto dedicated or configurable hardware. The communication and control algorithms might be mapped into software for microcontrollers, or onto dedicated or configurable hardware. The systems are heterogeneous in that they contain a variety of algorithms implemented by a variety of software and hardware technologies.
Companies desire to shorten design cycles, improve quality, and reduce cost of their systems.
When systems are heterogeneous, no one single design method is applicable to the entire system. If a group design subsystems using their own methods and implementation technologies, the group cannot evaluate the impact of the subsystem on the system behavior and cost. Successful system design approaches integrate application-specific design methods and implementation technologies in a formal, consistent, extensible framework. A formal, consistent framework enables the entire system to be specified, simulated, and synthesized, which improves product quality. To reduce the design cycle, the framework can take advantage of application-specific design methods to validate specifications, perform fast simulation, and generate efficient implementations.