Specifications

CHAPTER 10: POWER ANALYSIS
USING THE POWERPLAY EARLY POWER ESTIMATOR
ALTERA CORPORATION INTRODUCTION TO QUARTUS II ■ 179
a Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheet that is specific to the current device
family. A macro in the spreadsheet calculates the power estimation and then
provides a current (I
CC
) and power (P) estimation in the spreadsheet.
You can use the PowerPlay Early Power Estimator to estimate power at any
stage of the design process; however, Altera recommends that you use the
PowerPlay Power Analyzer, rather than the PowerPlay Power Estimator,
after the design is complete in order to obtain the most accurate power
analysis.
If you use the PowerPlay Early Power Estimator before you start your
design, you can specify device resources, operating frequency, toggle rates,
and other parameters for the PowerPlay Early Power Estimator. If you use it
after you have created a design, you can compile the design in the Quartus II
software and then use the Generate Early Power Calculator File command
(Power menu) to generate a power estimation file, which is a text-based file
named <revision name>_early_pwr.txt that contains power information for
the current device and design. You can then import this power estimation
file into the PowerPlay Early Power Estimator.
!
Using Early Power Estimations
Power calculations that are provided by the PowerPlay Early Power
Estimator should be used only as an estimation of power, not as a
specification. Be sure to verify the actual ICC during device operation, as
this measurement is sensitive to the actual device design and the
environmental operating conditions.
f
For Information About Refer To
Using the PowerPlay Early Estimator Power Calculator User Guide on the Altera
web site
“PowerPlay Early Power Estimator,” in the
Quartus II Handbook, vol. 3, on the Altera
web site
Application Note 74 (Evaluating Power for
Altera Devices) on the Altera web site
Information about device requirements Individual device handbooks or data sheets
on the Altera web site