System conceptualization and modeling requires support for both hardware and software components specification, and the ability to do complete system simulation rapidly and accurately. In this paper, we present a system engineering methodology that is built upon the definition and implementation of object relationship. Our approach allows a designer to build an executable, simulatable as well as synthesizable system model using the same language platform. We show how class interfaces can be used for structural representation throughout all design abstraction levels. The object oriented methodology allows IP-Reuse through object libraries and design patterns, and automatic documentation generation. The design process employs an extended and automatic documentation generation. The design process employs an extended UML (Unified Modeling Language) notation and classes from Scenic and ICSP class libraries. We describe our implementation of a prototype that supports our design methodology.

This report describes the design of a JPEG encoder. The project is a result of a course "System Tools" at Information and Computer Science Department, UC Irvine. The abstract executable specification SpecC is first developed based on a public domain C implementation. Software and hardware estimation is then performed based on which a datapath architecture is selected and RTL code is implemented. Finally, to explore the method of implementing a gate level model, part of the JPEG encoder is refined to the gate level.