Low-Power Methodology Guide Goes Online

April 10, 2008

Capturing thousands of hours of real-world design experience, a downloadable handbook is available to guide designers in applying the Common Power Format (CPF). The guide draws from the format’s usage by many of the 26 members of the Power Forward Initiative to offer detailed examples of optimized lowpower design using CPF, one of two competing low-power design intent formats (see “Power-Intent Standards Vie For Designers’ Loyalties,” Feb. 14, 2008, p. 45, ED Online 18123, and “Power Formats: You Can Have It Your Way,” March 27, p. 44, ED Online 18420). The guide is now available for viewing and free download online at www. powerforward.org.

Power Forward Initiative members have been using CPF in design projects for at least a year and in some cases nearly two years. Along the way, a good deal of practical knowledge has been compiled, much of which was incorporated into revisions of CPF leading up to the current v1.0. Now, that know-how has been encapsulated in the form of a user guide that provides step-by-step insight into actual use of advanced low-power design methodologies across various stages of the design flow.

Included in the download are a foreword from industry luminary Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli, an introduction by Cadence CPF architect Chi-Ping Hsu, and interesting low-power design examples from PFI member companies. The guide will be continuously updated with more examples throughout 2008.

POWER FORWARD INITIATIVE • www.powerforward.org

About the Author

David Maliniak | MWRF Executive Editor

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.