The rapid prototyping of systems with unconstrained design spaces is limited by the present need to effectively re-develop all aspects of a new system. The work here is the first step towards reusability of subsystems and the capability to achieve such reusability from a variety of CAD platforms and for a variety of implementation technologies. There are several challenges to be met in achieving the stated goal of subsystem reusability. The foremost challenge is the need to maintain consistent and documented representations of the various modules at various levels of design such as printed circuit boards, netlists, functional models, behavioral models, or design specifications. Moreover, any useful solution must be applicable to various CAD tools and environments and not limited to one choice. The research here consists of three phases: the study of representation models and how consistency can be maintained across various representations, the development of subsystems according to the representation models developed in the first phase, and the rapid development of a variety of systems with the new approach. Existing CAD tools for system design are used extensively, and new tools are developed largely to drive existing tools rather than replace them.
