SystemC(R) is defined in this standard. SystemC(R) is an ANSI standard C++ class library for system and hardware design for use by designers and architects who need to address complex systems that are a hybrid between hardware and software. This standard provides a precise and complete definition of the SystemC(R) class library so that a SystemC(R) implementation can be developed with reference to this standard alone. The primary audiences for this standard are the implementers of the SystemC(R) library, the implementers of tools supporting the class library, and users of the class library. The IEEE 1666™ program grants public access to view and download the current individual IEEE standard at no charge in PDF format thanks to the Open System C Initiative. Visit http://standards.ieee.org/about/get/index.html for details.