A controller synthesizer, that is part of a design system by which algorithms unsuitable for standard processors can be implemented, is presented. A hierarchical controller architecture suitable for frame-based and multi-sample-rate algorithms is synthesized. Synthesis of a controller is based on micro instructions, specific for each architecture, and assumes no use of predefined functional blocks. The designer can affect complexity and partitioning of the controller by changing the micro program. Processors for speech scrambling and digital adjustment of quadrature modulators have been designed and fabricated.