Power Distribution Network
The easy-to-use power distribution network (PDN) design tool is a graphical tool used with all Intel® FPGAs to optimize the board-level PDN. The purpose of the board-level PDN is to distribute power and return currents from the voltage regulating module (VRM) to the FPGA power supplies, and support optimal transceiver signal integrity and FPGA performance.
Power Distribution Network Model
For each power supply, you must choose a network of bulk and ceramic decoupling capacitors. While you can use SPICE simulation to simulate the circuit, the PDN design tool provides a fast, accurate, and interactive way to determine the right number of decoupling capacitors for optimal cost and performance trade-offs. By determining the optimal set of decoupling capacitors for a given design, you can save board space and ease the board layout process.
You can select the number and values of the capacitors in the spreadsheet (see Figure 1), and the tool calculates the composite impedance of the PDN along with the impedance characteristics of the VRM, the decoupling capacitors and their mounting inductance, the PCB, and the FPGA with on-package and on-chip capacitors.
To achieve optimal performance, the composite impedance must meet the target impedance (see Figure 2) up until the PCB cutoff frequency (FEFFECTIVE). The target impedance is derived from FPGA power requirements. The Power Analyzer in the Intel Quartus® Prime and Quartus II development software allows you to accurately analyze the FPGA's power consumption for each power rail.
The PDN printed circuit board design methodology is described in detail in AN 574: Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Power Delivery Network (PDN) Design Methodology. It also describes the role of the FEFFECTIVE in designing an efficient system power delivery solution.
Design with confidence using our tools and board design guidelines and get your design right the first time with the right performance and cost trade-offs.
Tools
Power Delivery Network (PDN) tool do not support Intel Agilex® 7 Devices (Intel Agilex® 7 Devices PDN design guideline is based on time domain simulation and worst step load at package level; however, PDN tool design guideline is based on frequency simulation and target impedance).
- AN 910: Intel Agilex® 7 Devices Power Distribution Network Design Guidelines
- AN 750: Using the Intel FPGA PDN Tool to Optimize Your Power Delivery Network Design
- Device-Specific Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool 2.0 User Guide
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool for Intel® Stratix® 10, Intel® Arria® 10 and Intel® Cyclone® 10 GX Devices (ZIP)
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool for Intel MAX® 10 Devices (ZIP)
For Intel Arria 10 devices, please do not use previous version of Intel Arria 10 device PDN tool combined in the Intel MAX 10 device PDN tool. The latest version of Intel Arria 10 device PDN tool and Intel Stratix 10 device PDN tool is already available through the link above.
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool 2.0 for Arria® V, Stratix® V, Cyclone® V, Cyclone IV, and Arria II GZ Devices (ZIP)
- Device-Specific Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool User Guide
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool for Stratix IV Devices (ZIP)
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool for Stratix III Devices (ZIP)
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool for Arria® II GX Devices (ZIP)
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool User Guide
- Power Delivery Network (PDN) Tool (ZIP) (device agnostic)
PDN Tool 2.0 Known Issues
Due to a Microsoft security update, users may experience one of the following symptoms when using the PDN tool:
- Buttons do not work.
- A run-time error: "Object doesn't support this property or method" appears after opening the PDN tool.
Microsoft has released an update to fix this issue, please go to the corresponding Microsoft Support Page based on your Excel version:
If the above update does not fix the issue, or if you do not have access to these updates, try the following workarounds:
- Reboot the computer if you've installed the above update.
- Close all Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word.
- Open a Windows Explorer, and enter "%temp%" (without quotes) into the address bar.
- Press "Ctrl" + "F" and enter ".exd" (without quotes) into the search box.
- If any files with the extension ".exd" are found, select and delete ALL found files.
- Next, enter "%appdata%" (without quotes) into the address bar. Again, press "Ctrl" + "F" and search for ".exd", and delete ALL found files.
- Reopen the PDN tool.
If the issues remain, follow these steps:
- Open the PDN tool, go to "File" -> "Info" -> "Compatibility Mode" and click the "Convert" button.
- If a pop-up appears, click "OK" to proceed with conversion, and then click "Yes" to reopen the workbook The previous steps convert the original ".xls" PDN file into a ".xlsm" file. The newly created file should not exhibit the original issue.
Microsoft's description for this issue can be found at: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2726958
Due to the Excel 2013 stability issue, Excel 2013 may crash when you open the EPE, and an error "Excel has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available" appears.
To solve the problem, please install the Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack.
You can also find more information about this update on the Microsoft Support web page: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2817430/