Power control options

This document describes global device options related to power management.

PDx pin multiplexing

ATF15xx CPLDs do not have dedicated power gating pins. Instead, the two power gating signals, PD1 and PD2, are multiplexed with normal macrocell I/O signals. Setting the device configuration options pd1_pin_func or pd2_pin_func to pd selects the power gating special function, leaving the macrocell buried; setting it to user selects the regular function.

Aside from reducing power consumption, asserting either of the power gating inputs latches and holds all internal and external signals, effectively freezing the device state.

Input transition detection

Portability

This option is present only in AS-series devices, and operational only in devices with an L suffix.

ATF15xxAS CPLDs can automatically enter and leave a low-power standby mode, determined by the frequency of transitions on one or more of the CLKx pins. In this low-power mode, the device has reduced performance, but otherwise operates normally. Setting the pin configuration option pins[CLK1,CLK2,CLK3].standby_wakeup to on causes the device to leave the standby mode when transitions occur sufficiently often on the corresponding CLKx pin; setting it to off causes transitions to be ignored on that pin. When running at full power, device performance increases to match the next lowest speed grade.

Reset hysteresis

Portability

This option is present only in AS-series devices.

ATF15xxAS CPLDs may not reliably initialize the macrocell registers as a part of power-on reset if VCC stays too close to the reset level VRSTH. Setting the device configuration option reset_hysteresis to large ensures reliable initialization, but requires VCC to shut off completely if it falls below VRSTL; setting it to small reverses the tradeoff.

Note

The values of VRSTH and VRSTL are not definitively known. For 3.3 V devices, it is likely that VRSTH/VRSTL are 3.0/2.0 V. For 5 V devices, it is likely that VRSTH is 4.0 V.

Reducing macrocell power

Portability

This option is present only in AS-series devices.

ATF15xxAS CPLDs provide a mechanism to reduce power consumed by a macrocell without completely disabling it. Setting the macrocell configuration option low_power to on reduces power by approx. 50% and performance by approx. 80%; setting it to off results in nominal power and performance.

Gating product term power

Portability

This option is present only in AS-series devices.

Product terms of ATF15xxAS CPLDs consume significant active power when their inputs are switching, which is especially undesirable for unused macrocells (or macrocells that do not use product terms, e.g. driving an output with a fixed level). Setting the macrocell configuration option pt_power to off disables product term circuits and reduces power consumption; setting it to on makes it possible to use product terms to drive the macrocell.

Warning

When product term power is gated, every product term fuse must be set to 0; then and only then the output of the product term stays low.

Vendor toolchain never sets fuses to 1 in disabled product terms. Hardware testing shows that setting any single fuse to 1 results in the output of the product term becoming high, is at odds with the definition of a product term. It’s not clear why this happens (parasitics?) but it is clear that the fuses of gated product terms should be always zeroed.