Circuit Power Estimation via Measured Module Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power consumption estimation tools for circuit designs, especially in highly integrated programmable ICs, lack accuracy due to reliance on designer-estimated resource counts and netlist-based methods, which do not effectively utilize more accurate measured power consumption data from external modules.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that input measured power consumption and circuit resource data, along with process-corner, voltage, and temperature values, to estimate power consumption by merging measured levels of power consumption for specific modules with estimated levels for other parts of the design, thereby improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power consumption estimation is performed using netlist-based methods or resource counts, then the estimation can be performed for the entire SOC design, but the accuracy of the power consumption estimation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The SOC design is divided into multiple modules, with each module's power consumption estimated separately using its own netlist and resource counts. This segmentation allows for more accurate localized estimation while maintaining overall system-level analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power consumption estimation methodology merges multiple estimation approaches (netlist-based, resource-count-based, and activity-factor-based) into a unified framework. This combination leverages the strengths of each method to achieve improved overall accuracy without requiring a single complex approach.
2Measurement precision
If measured power consumption data from external modules is used, then the accuracy of power estimation improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional data collection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Measured power consumption data from external modules is collected and stored in advance before the main estimation process. This preliminary data collection allows the estimation tool to directly utilize accurate measured values without requiring real-time measurements or complex coordination during the estimation phase.
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized data interface and format are introduced as an intermediary between external module measurements and the power estimation tool. This intermediary layer simplifies data integration by providing a consistent structure for importing measured power consumption data, reducing the operational complexity of data collection.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches for estimating power consumption of a circuit based on a circuit design. For one or more modules of the design, data are input that indicate measured power consumption and circuit resources used by the one or more modules. For one or more other parts of the design, values of parameters are input that specify an operating speed and a resource count. Process-corner, voltage, and temperature values are input. An estimated level of power consumption is determined as a function of the measured power consumption, the values of the parameters, and the values of the process-corner, voltage, and temperature. Data indicative of the estimated level of power consumption are output.