KEY Reduce IR drop by widening power metal, using higher layers, spreading cells and adding straps.

Electromigration and Its Effects When a high current flows through a metal wire, metal atoms can be displaced from their original positions. If this happens to a large degree, the metal can open up or bulge. This effect is called electromigration. Its effect is either a short or an open on the signal line or the power line. KEY EM is the displacement of metal atoms under high current, leading to opens or shorts on signal or power lines.

Input-Vector-Controlled Leakage Reduction A gate's leakage current depends on its input values. So you find the input set that produces the least leakage, and by applying this minimum-leakage vector to the circuit you can reduce leakage current while the circuit is in standby mode. This technique is called the input-vector-controlled method of leakage reduction. KEY Applying the minimum-leakage input vector in standby mode reduces a circuit's leakage current.

Reducing Dynamic Power

• Reduce switching activity by writing good RTL.
• Use clock gating.
• Apply architectural improvements.
• Lower the supply voltage.
• Use multiple voltage domains (multi-VDD). KEY Cut dynamic power via better RTL, clock gating, architecture, lower voltage and multi-VDD domains.

Vectors of Dynamic Power The vectors of dynamic power are voltage and current. KEY Dynamic power depends on the voltage and current vectors.