RTL Power Domain Isolation Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management techniques in integrated circuit design are typically applied at the physical implementation phase, leading to a gap in the RTL to GDSII implementation and verification flow, where the original RTL design cannot accurately represent power management implementations, necessitating the incorporation of power information early in the design process to ensure functional verification across all design cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for simulating a circuit with multiple power domains, where each domain has independent power control, using a hierarchical RTL representation, allowing for the isolation and simulation of power domains in response to power variations, incorporating power information specifications and control signals through a power manager logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power management techniques are applied at the physical implementation phase, then power optimization can be achieved, but the original RTL design cannot accurately represent power management implementations creating a verification gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating power information specifications and hierarchical RTL representation early in the design process, before physical implementation. This allows power management verification to be performed at the RTL level, preventing the loss of design representation accuracy while still achieving power optimization goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer - the hierarchical RTL representation with power information specifications - that bridges the gap between RTL design and physical implementation. This intermediary allows power management techniques to be verified at RTL level while maintaining accurate representation of the design intent.
2Reliability
If power domains are isolated and simulated independently, then comprehensive power management verification can be achieved, but the simulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the circuit into multiple independent power domains that can be simulated separately. Each power domain is represented hierarchically in RTL, allowing independent isolation and simulation while maintaining the ability to verify interactions between domains, thus achieving comprehensive verification without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic simulation of power domains by allowing power domains to be independently powered down/up during simulation. The hierarchical RTL representation dynamically reflects power state changes, enabling flexible verification scenarios without requiring complete redesign of the simulation approach.
3Reliability
If power information is incorporated early in the design process, then functional verification across all design cycles can be ensured, but the design process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a hierarchical RTL representation that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it represents the design logic, incorporates power information specifications, and enables power management verification. This multi-functional approach ensures functional verification across all design cycles without requiring separate processes for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for simulating isolation of a power domain are disclosed. The method includes receiving a netlist description of the circuit that is represented in a register-transfer-level (RTL) design environment, receiving power information specifications of the circuit, associating the plurality of power domains and the power information specifications in the RTL design environment, where the plurality of power domains are controlled by a set of power control signals through a power manager logic, isolating a power domain among the plurality of power domains for simulation, and simulating isolation behavior of the power domain in response to variations in power applied to the power domain.