The purpose of this thesis is to formulate a technically sound approach to designing Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) digital filters using high-level modeling tools. High-level modeling tools provide the ability to build and simulate ideal models. Once proper validation is complete on these ideal models, the user can then migrate to lower levels of abstraction until an actual real world model is designed. High-level modeling tools are the epitome of the top-down design concept in which design first takes place with the basic functional knowledge of a system. With each level of abstraction, validation is performed. High-level modeling tools are used throughout industry and their application is continually growing especially in the DSP area where many modes of communications are expanding. High-level modeling tools and validation significantly address this complex expansion by utilizing an ideal representation of a complicated network. / Master of Science