Power budget
Beginner
A plan that splits the chip’s total power allowance among its parts, like a household budget.
Novice
A table that splits the chip’s total power allowance among its blocks and its operating modes (peak, typical, idle, standby), for a stated workload and temperature, with some held back in reserve.
Expert
Split into switching and leakage power for each block, mode and supply, at a stated temperature and manufacturing corner. It later feeds the power-intent file (UPF) that says which blocks can be switched off, the sizing of the on-chip power wiring, and the package choice. It is re-estimated once the design code, and later the gate-level netlist, exist.
Explained in Specification (Design Flow).
See also: TDP (thermal design power), Dynamic power, Leakage (static) power.