1. A method of simulating a software design that is to be implemented in a system, comprising: (a) providing a co-simulation platform comprising a physical link coupling a first physical component with a models module, which emulates one or more other physical components of the system, wherein such models module includes a processor model associated with an interrupt service routine (ISR) for handling an interrupt on an interrupt line of the first physical component; (b) via the physical link, receiving into the models module an interrupt request from the interrupt line of the first physical component; (c) in response to the received interrupt request, initiating the ISR associated with the processor model; (d) prior to exiting the ISR, sending a interrupt line de-assert request from the models module to the first physical component via the physical link; and (e) prior to exiting the ISR and prior to receiving a physical de-assertion of the interrupt line from the first physical component via the physical link, generating by the models module a premature de-assertion of the interrupt line and causing such premature de-assertion to be received by the processor model.