CEMS-PG: A parametrized algorithm for balanced partitioning and wakeup of power gated circuits
Power gating can be a source of disturbances detrimental to IC robustness and response time. This work introduces Current-Equalized Multi-Stage Power Gating (CEMS-PG), a parameterized algorithm for finding an efficient wakeup approach given a maximum tolerable fluctuation in the power distribution network. Applying both partitioning and scheduling, CEMS-PG efficiently divides a power gated circuit into partitions with near-equal surge currents, making them suitable for an improved form of Staggered-Phase Damping. Our simulations show up to 44% improvement in wakeup time and 78% in peak noise, offering minimal compromise between the two.