ComBox: library-based generation of VHDL modules

We describe the automated generation of components for high throughput data-flow dominated VLSI-systems in digital communications. By means of a hierarchically organized library both behavioural models with high simulation efficiency and corresponding hardware generators that produce sophisticated VHDL descriptions are made easily accessible to the system designer. The structured approach allows the evaluation of the trade-offs between alternatives at each design step and guarantees a fast and reliable design flow towards hardware. The design environment ComBox enhances reusability and enables rapid implementation of complex systems starting from a system level description.