Power estimation method for an integrated circuit using probability

Abstract

A method of estimating power for an integrated circuit based on high speed probability calculation having a high precision with considering correlation between signals may be provided. The method may be performed by calculating probability quantity accompanying to output nodes of respective logical gates, the probability quantity being represented by probability that logical values of the output nodes of respective logical gates are 1 (referred to as 'signal probability' hereinafter) and probability that logical values of the output nodes of respective logical gates are changed (referred to as 'switching probability' hereinafter), expanding into series a difference P.sub.e -P.sub.a between a strict value P.sub.e of the probability quantity and a value P.sub.a calculated based on supposition that all inputs of respective logical gates are independent, with respect to the probability quantity corresponding to entire input signals of the integrated circuit, and estimating power required for the integrated circuit by first calculating infinite number of terms in the series as a correction term and then employing a value obtained by adding the correction term to the value P.sub.a as an approximate value of the probability quantity.