Student (m/f/d): Energy‑Efficient Chip Design: Heuristics for Clock‑Gate Insertion

IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH) Ilmenau

Stellenbeschreibung:

Overview

During your studies, you can contribute to our ongoing research projects. Join us in pushing the limits of what is technically feasible and be part of breaking new ground together. We offer a variety of challenging and practice-oriented topics for mandatory internships, Bachelor’s or Master’s theses or for student research assistants. You will analyse important scientific preliminary questions and support the project teams with development activities.

Place of work: Erfurt

Team: Microelectronics

Career level: Mandatory Internship or Student Research Assistant

Research field: Integrated sensor systems

Time scope: By agreement

Start: As soon as possible

Application deadline:

Reference number: IMMS_STUD_ME_0426

At IMMS a plugin was developed for the Netlist Carpentry Tool that automatically inserts clock gates. Clock‑gating shuts off the clock of inactive flip‑flops, dramatically reducing the power consumption of integrated circuits. However, this comes with a trade‑off between energy savings and the area required by the circuit, because activity detection logic consumes significant space. Currently, the clock gates are inserted before every flip‑flop instance in the netlist using the Netlist Carpentry Tool.

To evaluate where clock gates should be inserted, heuristics are needed. Either the goal is to maximize energy savings or to keep the area footprint low. The latter is achieved by inserting clock gates only at critical locations or for groups of flip‑flops.

What to do

Heuristics for determining clock‑gate insertion points in the netlist based on given metrics
Implementation in Python
Documentation

What to bring with you

Basic Python skills
Basic knowledge of digital circuits
Basic Git proficiency

About us

We strengthen enterprises with application‑oriented research and development in microelectronics, systems engineering and mechatronics and transfer the results of basic research into applications and products. We support companies in launching internationally successful innovations for health, the environment and industry and provide solutions from the feasibility study to series production.

What we offer

An attractive workplace in a modern, very well‑equipped and industry‑oriented research institute
Work directly at the interface between university and industry
Work in a flexible and creative team and on innovative and challenging topics

For the tasks described in the job offer and with the existing working conditions, an application is possible irrespective of gender and/or any physical disabilities. We foster professional equality of women and men. We invite women in particular to apply. As women are underrepresented at IMMS, they will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional performance.