A modular architecture for designing and fast prototyping of smart sensor microsystems, combining both monolithic and hybrid technologies, is presented. nte architecture comprises several modules for analogue sensor signals conditioning and processing, as well as their digital conversion and firther digital processing. A microprocessor-based module is also included for added control and digital processing capability. nte modules are, in general, both hardware and sofiiare programmable and their finctional models are included in a computer assisted design environment, which complements the system and provides great flexibility for the systematic development and prototyping of smart sensor microsystems with local information processing capability.