Ptolemy is a simulation and prototyping framework designed for heterogeneous systems, particularly those involving signal processing and communications. It leverages modern object-oriented programming (OOP) principles to model and integrate subsystems, supporting a wide range of design styles and computational models. The core of Ptolemy is a set of object-oriented class definitions that allow for the creation of generic and specialized objects, with a focus on flexibility and interoperability. Key features include: - **Agility**: Support for distinct computational models to model subsystems naturally. - **Heterogeneity**: Allow different computational models to coexist seamlessly. - **Extensibility**: Seamless integration of new computational models. - **Friendliness**: A modern graphical interface for easy user interaction. Ptolemy supports various domains such as synchronous and dynamic dataflow, discrete-event, and others, which can be mixed to simulate complex systems. It also includes tools for code generation, allowing for the synthesis of real-time prototypes and hardware designs. Applications of Ptolemy include multimedia networks, signal processing, hardware-software co-design, and more. The framework is implemented in C++ and has been successfully used in various simulation and prototyping tasks.Ptolemy is a simulation and prototyping framework designed for heterogeneous systems, particularly those involving signal processing and communications. It leverages modern object-oriented programming (OOP) principles to model and integrate subsystems, supporting a wide range of design styles and computational models. The core of Ptolemy is a set of object-oriented class definitions that allow for the creation of generic and specialized objects, with a focus on flexibility and interoperability. Key features include: - **Agility**: Support for distinct computational models to model subsystems naturally. - **Heterogeneity**: Allow different computational models to coexist seamlessly. - **Extensibility**: Seamless integration of new computational models. - **Friendliness**: A modern graphical interface for easy user interaction. Ptolemy supports various domains such as synchronous and dynamic dataflow, discrete-event, and others, which can be mixed to simulate complex systems. It also includes tools for code generation, allowing for the synthesis of real-time prototypes and hardware designs. Applications of Ptolemy include multimedia networks, signal processing, hardware-software co-design, and more. The framework is implemented in C++ and has been successfully used in various simulation and prototyping tasks.