How do I calculate DFE power consumption using the Quartus II Power Play Power Analyzer (PPPA) and Early Power Estimator (EPE) for Stratix V and Arria V GZ devices?

Due to a limitation of the Quartus® II software version 13.1 and earlier, the Power Play Power Analyzer (PPPA) tool will not include Decision Feedback Equalizer (DFE) power consumption for  Stratix® V and Arria® V GZ devices.

Also, due to a limitation of the version 13.0sp1 and earlier and Early Power Estimator (EPE), transient adaption DFE is not included in the calculation.

You can use the following method to calculate DFE power consumption using the Quartus II PPPA and EPE on Stratix V and Arria V GZ devices.

Run the Quartus II software version 12.1sp1 dp4 or later PPPA on your project using vectorless mode.

1. Import the PPPA generated CSV file into version 13.0sp1 version of the EPE.
2. Determine DFE current by finding the ICCR_GXB current consumption difference between the DFE set to ON and OFF, and add this to the PPPA ICCR_GXB figure.
3. Add 80mA to account for DFE triggered adaption. This current is independent of the number of channels using DFE. During normal operation, the DFE does not consume adaption current.

Therefore the total ICCR_GXB current is

ICCR_GXB = PPPA(Vectorless) Current DFE Tap Current(ON/OFF) DFE Adaption Current

This problem will be fixed in a future version of the Quartus II PPPA and EPE.