Reconfigurable computing: Power consumption optimization in embedded systems

Embedded systems are an important subclass of computer systems that are highly prevalent in the internet centric network. Such systems face an obstacle in scaling their performance for widespread deployment in terms of their power consumption parameters. Researchers have pursued power consumption optimization in computer systems in general for at least the last decade or more. However, the existing optimization methods appear to have reached a limit in the power savings they can offer.;Reconfigurable computer systems based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are gaining popularity in order to address the power consumption obstacle. This research analysis presents and examines in detail a dynamically reconfigurable low power FPGA, the Xilinx Artix-7 that utilizes state-of-the-art static and dynamic power consumption optimization measures. It also explores how low power can be achieved through the use of the reconfigurable computing architecture. An example implementation of a wireless modem implemented on the Artix-7 is illustrated for the power savings it offers.