This paper presents a new, silicon compiler-based methodology for designing application-specific chips. A newly developed behavioral silicon compiler called DSS is used to implement standard DSP components. This compiler includes a design specification language parser, a high-level synthesizer and a parameterized module generator. The goal is to reduce the overall design time of DSP systems by offering the designer a complete compilation environment. Design space exploration is illustrated in examples, to show the ability of a silicon compiler to create and test many design alternatives in a very short time period. Designers using this compiler are encouraged to try several designs until a feasible one is found. Design examples are given in later sections to illustrate the synthesis result.