HardCopy IV ASICs: Power Advantage
HardCopy® IV ASICs are architected to deliver low power that is comparable to standard cell ASICs. To achieve low leakage current, all unused blocks—SRAMs, logic, global clocks, and phase-locked loops (PLLs)—are removed from the power rail. The low dynamic power is a result of low routing capacitance because HardCopy IV ASICs, similar to standard cell ASICs, use custom metal routing.
HardCopy IV ASICs typically deliver 50 percent or greater power reduction from the prototyping Stratix® IV FPGA. The Stratix IV architecture, Programmable Power Technology, and selectable core voltage breakthroughs enable the lowest possible power for high-end FPGAs in the same class.
Figure 1 shows the components of total power and looks at the relative values between the HardCopy IV ASIC and the companion Stratix IV FPGA prototype.
Figure 1. Power Comparison
As shown in Figure 1, in general, the I/O power, and RAM and digital signal processing (DSP) power is the same between the Stratix FPGA and the HardCopy ASIC. There is a dramatic reduction in the dynamic (clock/logic) power and a substantial reduction in leakage power because all unused elements are removed from the power rail.
Benefits of Low Power Consumption
Reducing the power consumption of custom logic devices carries far-reaching benefits for many applications, including:
- Space-constrained and other thermally challenging environments
- Price-sensitive applications where cooling systems are not cost effective
- Reduction in cooling system costs
The HardCopy IV family is just one example of Altera’s leadership in offering the lowest power custom logic devices. Combining a comprehensive approach of architecture and silicon enhancements, the latest semiconductor process technology, and complete power management tools for customers, Altera continues to deliver excellent power technology.
Quartus II Software Power Optimization
Design implementation details can improve performance, minimize area, and reduce power. Altera has taken a leadership position in bringing power optimization into the design flow. The Quartus® II software, combined with the architecture enhancements in HardCopy IV ASICs, continues to deliver leadership power solutions.
Quartus II software has many transparent, automatic power optimizations that utilize the HardCopy IV architecture details to minimize power, including:
- Transforming major functional blocks
- Mapping user RAMs so they use less power
- Restructuring logic to reduce dynamic power
- Reducing area and wiring demand for core logic to minimize dynamic power in routing
- Modifying placement to reduce clocking power
Accurate Power Estimation and Analysis
Altera supports power estimation and analysis from design concept through implementation, with the Quartus II software's PowerPlay power analysis and optimization technology.
The Stratix III and Stratix IV PowerPlay early power estimator, used during the design concept phase, is a spreadsheet-based analysis tool that enables early power scoping based on device and package selection, operating conditions, and device utilization.
The PowerPlay power analyzer, used during the design implementation phase, is a far more detailed power analysis tool that uses actual design placement, routing, and logic configuration, and can use simulated waveforms to estimate dynamic power very accurately. The PowerPlay power analyzer, in aggregate, usually provides ±10 percent accuracy when used with accurate design information.
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