On-the-fly Leakage Power Estimation in Circuit Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing simulation tools for electronic circuits cannot accurately estimate leakage power on-the-fly during circuit simulation due to difficulties in modeling temperature variations, leading to reliance on best or worst-case scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that calculate dynamic and total power consumption, average the total power to determine temperature, and subsequently estimate leakage power in real-time, allowing for on-the-fly updates of power consumption based on temperature and dynamic power changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If circuit designers use existing simulation tools to estimate leakage power, then they can obtain power consumption estimates, but the estimates are inaccurate because they rely on best or worst-case scenarios rather than real-time temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature estimation during circuit simulation by continuously calculating total power consumption and updating temperature values based on power dissipation. This allows leakage power to be estimated at the actual operating temperature rather than static best/worst-case scenarios, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity by making the simulation adaptive to real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by calculating total power consumption, determining temperature based on this power, and then using the temperature to estimate leakage power which feeds back into the total power calculation. This iterative feedback loop enables accurate leakage power estimation while maintaining manageable simulation complexity through structured computation
2Adaptability or versatility
If circuit designers perform comprehensive temperature analysis at multiple temperature points, then they can capture temperature variations, but it is difficult to estimate temperature variations on-the-fly during circuit simulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter estimation approach by calculating temperature dynamically during simulation based on instantaneous power consumption rather than requiring separate analysis at multiple fixed temperature points. This allows the simulation to adapt to temperature variations automatically, maintaining ease of operation while achieving comprehensive temperature coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup by establishing the relationship between power consumption and temperature, and by preparing the framework for dynamic temperature calculation before simulation begins. This preliminary preparation enables on-the-fly temperature estimation during simulation without requiring complex real-time computations, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more accurate simulation of leakage power in electronic circuits by dynamically estimating temperature and leakage power, improving the precision of simulation software and accounting for real-time operational changes.
Implementation Method 1
The power consumed by an electronic circuit can be categorized into two main components—dynamic power and leakage power. Dynamic power consumption occurs due to transistor switching activity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for on-the-fly determination of leakage power and temperature of an electronic circuit design is provided. The method includes calculating a dynamic power of the electronic circuit design. The method also includes calculating a total power consumption of the electronic circuit design. The method further includes averaging the total power consumption to obtain an average total power, determining a temperature of the electronic circuit design based on the average total power, and determining a leakage power of the electronic circuit design based on the temperature. A system and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions to perform the above method are also provided.