Power and Performance Optimization in Long-term Operation

The work developed consists in a power or performance optimization methodology, for long-term operation, using global and local aging aware performance sensors. Methodology allows circuits to be dynamically optimized, during their life-time, according with one of two possible needs: (1) restrict power consumption, by reducing power-supply voltage to the minimum value that prevents errors from happening; or (2) optimize performance, by increasing operating frequency to the maximum limit that prevents errors’ occurrence. The dynamic optimization is achieved by using a cooperative work of global and local sensors. Moreover, new global sensor architecture, controller and a DCO (Digital Control Oscillator) are presented, to demonstrate frequency automatic optimization, according with sensors’ outputs. Extensive spice simulations in a 65nm CMOS technology demonstrate the results.