Microelectronics are certainly one of the key-technologies of our time. They are a key factor of technological and economic progress. They effect the fields of automation, information and communication, leading to the development of new applications and markets. Attention should be focused on three areas of development: - process and production technology, - test technology, - design technology. Clearly, because of the development of new application fields, the skill f design- ing integrated circuits should not be limited to a few, highly specialized experts Rather, this ability should be...

Microtechnologies and their corresponding CAD tools have meanwhile reached alevel of sophistication that requires the application of theoretical means on all modelling levels of design and analysis. Also, there is a growing need for a scientific approach in modelling again. Many concepts provided by Systems Theory again turn out to be of major importance. This is especially valid for the design of "machines with intelligent behaviour." When dealing with complex systems, the engineering design has to be supported by CAD tools. Consequently, the methods of Systems Theory must also get...