Recent Advances in Low-Power VLSI Design for Energy-Efficient Electronics

Abstract

The increasing demand for energy-efficient electronic systems has driven significant advancements in low-power Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) design. With the proliferation of battery-operated and portable devices, power consumption has become a critical design constraint alongside performance and area optimization. This review presents recent advances in low-power VLSI design, focusing on circuit- and system-level techniques to reduce dynamic and static power dissipation. Key methodologies discussed include voltage scaling, power gating, clock gating, and advanced transistor technologies such as FinFETs and Tunnel FETs (TFETs). Additionally, emerging approaches like approximate computing, neuromorphic computing, and the use of advanced materials for ultra-low-power applications are explored. Innovations in energy-efficient memory architectures, including SRAM and non-volatile memory technologies, are also highlighted. The impact of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in optimizing power-aware VLSI design is examined, along with the role of electronic design automation (EDA) tools in low-power circuit synthesis and verification. Future research directions emphasize the integration of novel materials, 3D ICs, and new computing paradigms such as in-memory and quantum computing for enhanced energy efficiency. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of state-of-the-art techniques, challenges, and potential breakthroughs in low-power VLSI design, offering insights into the future of energy-efficient electronics.