near-threshold computing
Beginner
Running a chip on just barely enough electrical push for its switches to work. It saves lots of energy but runs slower.
Novice
Running a chip with its supply voltage only slightly above the transistors’ switch-on voltage, roughly 400–500 mV in one 45 nm study, instead of about 1.1 V. Each operation takes far less energy, but the circuits run much slower.
Expert
Energy per operation falls steeply as supply approaches , but delay, and its sensitivity to process, voltage and temperature variation, rise sharply. It needs variation-aware timing, SRAM assist circuits or alternative bitcells, and robust level shifting.
Explained in Personal and edge devices (Industries).