I am honored and delighted to write the foreword to this very first book about SystemC. It is now an excellent time to summarize what SystemC really is and what it can be used for. The main message in the area of design in the 2001 International Te- nologyRoadmapfor Semiconductors (ITRS) isthat cost ofdesign is the greatest threat to the continuation ofthe semiconductor roadmap. This recent revision of the ITRS describes the major productivity improvements of the last few years as small block reuse, large block reuse, and IC implementation tools. In order to continue to reduce design cost,...

I am honored and delighted to write the foreword to this very first book about SystemC. It is now an excellent time to summarize what SystemC really is and what it can be used for. The main message in the area of design in the 2001 International Te- nologyRoadmapfor Semiconductors (ITRS) isthat cost ofdesign is the greatest threat to the continuation ofthe semiconductor roadmap. This recent revision of the ITRS describes the major productivity improvements of the last few years as small block reuse, large block reuse, and IC implementation tools. In order to continue to reduce design cost,...