Polymorphous computer-based systems are systems in which the CPU architecture "morphs" or changes shape to meet the requirements of the application. Optimized and efficient design for these systems requires exploration along axes beyond those of traditional system design. In this paper we outline a model-integrated toolset to aid in the specification, analysis and synthesis of polymorphous applications.

Polymorphous systems can be developed utilizing a four-tiered approach, where inherent application properties and characteristics govern design practices at each level. We show through the development of the model-integrated approach that polymorphous system design is inherently coupled with the search and exploration of a combinatorial space of design tradeoffs. Design tools are needed to efficiently evaluate this large and complex space in order to arrive at near-optimal application implementations.