Moving forward: the power challenge

DSM has allowed integrated desktop and portable applications in computing and telecommunications to operate at very high frequencies-dissipating a lot of power in a relatively small area. Unfortunately these fast devices are leaky! Power dissipation technologies (packages, fans, etc.) are expensive, and, battery technology could not keep up with the added demand of hand-held devices for power. Also, high frequencies coupled With high densities have created localized high power densities that posed an integrity issue in chips even when overall power dissipation was not excessive. Power budgeting and low power circuit and software techniques are at the forefront of system design. This tutorial will cover the power challenge and propose useful solutions.