The present invention is directed to a system and method for heterogeneous multiprocessor reference design. In an aspect of the present invention, a method of designing a multiprocessor integrated circuit may include receiving a specification for an integrated circuit having multiprocessors, the specification having a desired functionality. Functional components are chosen which provide the desired functionality of the received specification. The functional components are implemented in a modular multiprocessor reference design as an example system for the multiprocessor integrated circuit. The implemented functional components of the modular multiprocessor reference design may be suitable for testing software for operation by the multiprocessor integrated circuit. Moreover, the modular multiprocessor reference design enables testing of interaction of functional components for providing the desired functionality of the received specification.