McPOWER: a Monte Carlo approach to power estimation

An alternative technique for power estimation that combines the accuracy of simulation-based techniques with the speed of the probabilistic technique is investigated. The resulting method is statistical in nature; it consists of applying randomly-generated input patterns to the circuit and monitoring, with a simulator, the resulting power value. This is continued until a value of power is obtained with a desired accuracy, at a specified confidence level. The algorithm and experimental results are presented and the superiority of this approach is discussed.<>