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2.2. Power Estimation Basics
The Altera power analysis features, including the Intel® FPGA Power and Thermal Calculator tool and the Quartus® Prime software Power Analyzer, give you the ability to estimate power consumption from early design concept through design implementation, as shown in the following figure.
As you provide more details about your design characteristics, estimation accuracy is improved. Altera recommends that you switch from the Intel® FPGA Power and Thermal Calculator to the Power Analyzer in the Quartus® Prime software once your design is available. The Power Analyzer produces more accurate results because it has more detailed information about your design, including routing and configuration information about all the resources in your design.
The accuracy of the power model is determined on a per-power-rail basis for both the Power Analyzer and the Intel® FPGA Power and Thermal Calculator.
Figure 1. Power Analysis from Design Concept Through Design Implementation
Characteristic | Intel® FPGA Power and Thermal Calculator | Quartus® Prime Power Analyzer |
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When to use | Any time
Note: For post-fit power analysis, you get better results with the Quartus® Prime Power Analyzer.
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Post-fit |
Software requirements |
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The Quartus® Prime software |
Accuracy | Medium | Medium to very high |
Data inputs |
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Data outputs |
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