Toggle-Based Power Measurement Circuit for IC Thermal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring power consumption in integrated circuits are cumbersome, expensive, unreliable, or require extensive simulation, making it difficult to accurately estimate power consumption for thermal design optimization.
Innovation Solution
An electric power measurement circuit that includes period measurement circuits and toggle number and operation period measurers to calculate power consumption based on signal changes and valid periods in processing circuits, allowing for precise power consumption estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing power consumption measurement methods are used, then power consumption can be measured, but the measurement process is cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into multiple independent functional modules: toggle number measurers for each signal line, operation period measurers that track valid signal periods, and a power consumption calculator. Each module performs a specific measurement function, making the overall system more manageable and less complex while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate measurement variables (toggle numbers and operation periods) that serve as mediators between the raw signal measurements and the final power consumption calculation. These intermediaries simplify the measurement process by breaking down the complex power consumption calculation into manageable steps based on signal transition counts and valid operation periods.
2Measurement precision
If existing power consumption measurement methods are used, then power consumption data can be obtained, but extensive simulation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement circuit is integrated directly into the target logic circuit, allowing the circuit to measure its own power consumption characteristics during normal operation. The toggle number measurers and operation period measurers are embedded within the circuit structure, enabling self-measurement without requiring external simulation environments or separate testing setups, thus eliminating time-consuming simulation processes.
3Reliability
If power consumption is measured for thermal design optimization, then accurate thermal design is possible, but the measurement process is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement functions are merged with the target logic circuit structure itself. The toggle number measurers and operation period measurers are integrated into the existing circuit pathways, combining the measurement functionality with the operational logic. This integration makes the measurement process as easy as operating the circuit itself, while providing reliable data for thermal design optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power measurement circuit includes: a period measurement circuit that measures a measurement period; a first measurer that measures (i) a first toggle number that is a number by which a signal value indicated by an input signal to a first target circuit has changed and (ii) a first operation period that is a period during which the input signal is valid; a second measurer that measures (i) a second toggle number that is a number by which a signal value indicated by an output signal from the first target circuit has changed and (ii) a second operation period that is a period during which the output signal is valid; and a calculator that calculates the first power consumption of the first target circuit based on the measured first toggle number, the measured first operation period, the measured second toggle number, and the measured second operation period.