Design optimization for an 8-bit microcontroller in wireless biomédical sensors

This paper focuses on the design of an ultra low power 8-bit microcontroller for wireless biomedical sensors using advanced low power techniques such as Operand Isolation, Clock-Gating, Multi-Threshold Voltage and Power Gating. In addition, we have conducted a study based on the area, timing performances and power consumptions by benchmarking different low power design techniques. These statistical data allow us to have a thorough understanding of the various low power techniques. Finally, the fully implemented low power design shows that a total core power reduction of about 67.43% was achieved with a small area overhead of 0.3% compared to the original design while maintaining an operating clock frequency of 100 MHz at 900 mV supply voltage These designs are implemented using Chartered Advantage High Speed 65 nm Generic Multi-threshold Technology Libraries.