Getting Started: Understanding Your Design's Power Needs
One of the biggest advantages of FPGAs is their incredible flexibility and customization for a designer's unique needs. However this benefit means that every design will also have unique power requirements. Intel provides a number of resources to help you better understand your design's requirements throughout the design process.
Early Power Estimator (EPE)
Get Intel Enpirion power converter recommendations automatically using Intel’s Early Power Estimator.
One file – seamless FPGA or SoC FPGA power consumption estimates and power converter recommendations, customized for your design’s unique needs. Intel’s Early Power Estimator, versions 13.1 and newer, now enables designers to:
- Group the FPGA or SoC power rails according to the device’s Pin Connection Guidelines recommendations and the power rails needed for your design
- Make system decisions like input voltage, amount of power supply margin, and special features like “Power OK”
- View recommended Intel Enpirion power solutions that best meets the design’s requirements in the smallest footprint
Download your FPGA or SoC FPGA's latest Early Power Estimator now.
Power Distribution Network (PDN)
For each FPGA power supply, designers must choose a network of bulk and ceramic decoupling capacitors, which can be physically large and add significant system cost. Intel Enpirion Power Solutions are designed for fast transient response and minimal bulk capacitance, which saves valuable PCB space, makes board layout easier, and lowers total cost.
Intel makes determining your system's decoupling capacitance easy with a Power Distribution Network (PDN) design tool that enable designers to quickly and accurately determine the right number of decoupling capacitors for optimal cost and performance trade-offs.
Learn more about Intel's Power Distribution Network (PDN) Design Tools.