A means of linking together the behavioral and structural domains of representation is presented. The approach can be used in a design synthesis system where the input is an abstract behavior of the system to be designed. As transformations are made to the behavior and the logical structure is specified, this approach maintains the correspondences between the two. These correspondences are maintained even when numerous optimizing transformations are applied to the behavior and structure. The result is that the structure designed can be correlated with the initial behavioral description and feedback containing both can be produced for a system-level architect.

Hierarchical design representation can be a useful approach to the problem of handling the complexity of digital designs. A means of linking together hierarchical behavioral representations in a design system is presented. Along with other information, this linking correlates the abstract behavior and logical structure together, opening the way for multilevel analysis aids that include these levels. Multilevel simulation is briefly discussed.