Advancements in Low-Power Design Techniques for Digital ICs: Navigating the Future of Energy-Efficient Electronics
Exploring methods to reduce power consumption in digital integrated circuits. Written by KUSHAL SAWARKAR, a content writer who specializes in the semiconductor and electronics industry.
Digital integrated circuits (ICs) are commonly utilized in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, and telecommunications. They provide several advantages such as being lightweight, small in size, cost-effective, highly reliable, and easy to replace.
As per Consegic Business Intelligence, the Digital IC Market is expected to expand significantly, reaching a value of over USD 179.47 Billion by 2031, up from USD 93.71 Billion in 2022. The market is predicted to increase by USD 98.79 Billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% from 2023 to 2031.
The fast-paced growth of the electronics sector is creating a strong need for digital integrated circuits (ICs) that are energy-efficient and consume less power. New methods and advancements in the industry are focusing on reducing power usage while still achieving optimal performance and efficiency.
One important method in designing low-power systems is Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS). DVFS involves automatically adjusting the voltage and frequency of a processor according to the workload it is handling. By reducing the voltage and frequency during times of low activity, significant energy savings can be achieved. This technique is commonly used in modern processors and embedded systems, but it requires complex control algorithms to effectively manage the trade-off between performance and power consumption.
Clock gating is a method used to save power by cutting off the clock signal to parts of the circuit that are not being used. This helps minimize unnecessary switching activity and only allows power to be consumed by active circuit components, making the system more efficient. Clock gating can be applied at different levels, such as blocking off large sections of the circuit or individual flip-flops.
Power gating is a technique that involves shutting off power to specific sections of a circuit when they are not being used. This helps to decrease both dynamic and leakage power, especially when the circuit is in standby mode. Careful planning is needed when implementing power gating, as it requires designing power switches and control circuits that allow modules to quickly resume operation without impacting the circuit's overall performance.
Multi-threshold CMOS technology involves incorporating transistors with varying threshold voltages in a single circuit to find a middle ground between performance and energy efficiency. High-threshold transistors are utilized to reduce power leakage, while low-threshold transistors are employed in areas where speed is a top priority.
Adiabatic switching is a method that reduces energy loss by slowly charging and discharging capacitors in order to recycle energy within the circuit. This approach is rooted in reversible computing, which aims to minimize the energy lost during each operation.
In the field of low-power design, there have been many important advancements and progress made recently. Renesas Electronics has introduced new third-generation 5G mmWave beamforming ICs that include Dynamic Array Power technology. These advanced ICs have the ability to adjust output power across a wide range of levels, providing great flexibility and efficiency for 5G applications.
The use of artificial intelligence at the edge has led to the creation of power systems that can make changes in real-time based on data, improving how power is used. Advanced power management ICs have been introduced for various uses, such as in cars and industrial machines. ROHM and other companies have developed small and consumer-friendly DC-DC converter ICs that save energy.
Current research is dedicated to improving existing techniques and exploring new materials and transistor designs. One example is the FinFET multigate technology, which has the potential to reduce leakage currents and improve power efficiency.
In summary, the continuous progress in developing low-power design methods for digital integrated circuits is mainly motivated by the growing demand for energy efficiency in a connected global environment. The improvements in managing dynamic power, creating new IC structures, and incorporating smart systems are setting higher standards for the industry, ensuring that upcoming devices will be both high-performing and energy-saving.
Origin: Achieving Business Intelligence: Digital Integrated Circuit Market
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