Multi-level clock gating circuitry for power optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing power consumption in semiconductor chips through clock gating are labor-intensive, inefficient, and often result in increased area and power consumption due to manual identification and implementation of clock gating circuitry, particularly in complex integrated circuit designs with interrelated enable signals for sequential logic.
Innovation Solution
The method involves automatic identification of logic circuit blocks for clock gating at the synthesized netlist level, using design automation tools to insert optimal clock gating logic, transforming clock-gated circuitry into multiple levels based on shared combinational logic, and employing bipartite graphs and branch and bound techniques to optimize power savings without disrupting the circuit's logical function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual clock gating identification and implementation is performed, then clock gating can be applied to reduce power consumption, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic clock gating identification and insertion without requiring manual designer intervention. The tool autonomously analyzes the circuit design, identifies candidate blocks for clock gating, determines optimal gating signals, and inserts the necessary clock gating circuitry, thereby eliminating the labor-intensive manual process while achieving power consumption reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of identifying and implementing clock gating is replaced with an automated computer-based system. The design automation tool uses algorithmic analysis to substitute the manual designer's work, transforming a labor-intensive task into an automated computational process that reduces both time and effort.
2Loss of energy
If clock gating circuitry is inserted to reduce power consumption, then switching power is reduced, but the gating circuitry itself occupies chip area and consumes additional power
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes clock gating by changing parameters such as selecting the most appropriate gating signals from multiple candidates, determining optimal groups of sequential elements to gate together, and choosing the best clock gating implementation strategy. This automated parameter optimization ensures that the net power reduction after accounting for gating circuitry overhead is maximized, thereby reducing overall power consumption while minimizing area overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified models or representations of the circuit design to analyze clock gating opportunities without directly modifying the original design. This allows for efficient evaluation of multiple clock gating scenarios and selection of the optimal solution, reducing the computational burden and enabling automated optimization without proportionally increasing the area overhead of the gating circuitry itself.
3Loss of energy
If comprehensive clock gating is applied to all circuit portions, then power consumption is reduced, but the complexity of identifying and implementing gating for all blocks increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the circuit design into individual blocks and identifies clock gating opportunities for each block separately. By dividing the large-scale design into manageable segments, the tool can systematically analyze and apply clock gating to each portion independently, then integrate the results. This segmentation approach reduces the overall complexity of implementation while achieving comprehensive power reduction across the entire design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a universal automated clock gating methodology that can be applied to any circuit design regardless of complexity or architecture. The same core algorithm and process are used across different design scenarios, providing a multi-functional solution that handles various types of circuits uniformly. This universal approach simplifies the implementation process by eliminating the need for different manual procedures for different design types.
4Loss of energy
If clock gating is implemented early in the design flow, then power optimization opportunities are captured, but flexibility to remove or modify gates later is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements clock gating in a dynamic manner that adapts to different stages of the design flow. The automated tool can be applied at various points in the design process, and the identified clock gating opportunities are documented in a way that allows for easy modification or removal later. This dynamic approach maintains design flexibility while capturing power optimization opportunities early, as the automated nature of the tool allows for re-analysis and adjustment as the design evolves.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of optimizing clock-gated circuitry in an integrated circuit (IC) design is provided. A plurality of signals which feed into enable inputs of a plurality of clock gates is determined, where the clock gates gate a plurality of sequential elements in the IC design. Combinational logic which is shared among the plurality of signals is identified. The clock-gated circuitry is transformed into multiple levels of clock-gating circuitry based on the shared combinational logic.