1.4 Power Consumption of FPGAs

FPGAs are available in a wide range of configurations, each offering varying numbers of logic elements and additional features such as PLLs, peripherals and transceivers. Estimating the power consumption of an FPGA is inherently complex, as it depends on several factors, including logic activity, clock speeds and switching rates—all of which are highly workload-dependent. FPGAs require multiple voltage rails for core logic, I/O, memory interfaces, and transceivers, each contributing differently to the device’s total power consumption.

Utilizing a power estimator tool is essential for effective FPGA power management. Accurate power supply sizing enables the selection of appropriate voltage regulators and power components, helping to avoid both underpowering and unnecessary overdesign. In addition, proper thermal management—through optimized cooling strategies such as heat sinks, airflow, or thermal PCB design—prevents overheating and ensures reliable operation.

For PolarFire® FPGAs and PolarFire SoC FPGAs refer to the following documentation:

• Microchip Power Estimator (MPE) spreadsheet
• PolarFire Power Estimator User Guide

For SmartFusion®2 and IGLOO®2 FPGAs refer to the following documentation:

• SmartFusion2 and IGLOO2 Power Estimator
• SmartFusion2 and IGLOO2 Power Estimator User Guide

The accuracy of power estimation is highly dependent on the quality of the input data and settings used in the tool. It is important to enter realistic and representative data to obtain meaningful results. Please note that Power Estimator tools provide early-stage estimates rather than measured values; actual power consumption will depend on the final RTL design, place-and-route results and real-world operating conditions.

For early-stage power estimation, it is recommended to use the appropriate Power Estimator tool. For more accurate and detailed analysis after place-and-route, the SmartPower tool within Libero® SoC should be used. SmartPower offers comprehensive power analysis, allowing users to visualize both global and detailed power consumption within their design. This enables targeted adjustments to reduce power where possible. SmartPower provides in-depth analysis for Microchip SoC FPGAs, from top-level summaries down to specific functions such as gates, nets, I/Os, memories, clock domains, blocks and power supply rails. For further information, please refer to the SmartPower User Guide.