Apparatus and method for processor power measurement in a digital signal processor using trace data and simulation techniques

摘要

In order to measure the power consumed by a central processing unit (21) during execution of a software program, the trace components are used to determine the input signals and the output signals and interrupt conditions for each clock cycle. The input signals and the output signals can be applied to a simulation model (26) of the central processing system to determine the state of the central processing unit (21) for each clock cycle. The simulation model (26) is also used to determine the power dissipated for each state. Combining the knowledge of the progression of states of the central processing unit with the power consumed by the central processing unit (21) for each state, the consumption of power by the central processing unit (21) can be determined as a function of execution of the program. By comparing the power consumed with the portion of the program being executed, the program can be adjusted to reduce the power required during the execution of the program.