Inputs and outputs contract

Inputs & Outputs for Power Switch Architecture focuses on switch IR drop, enable skew, and power-up settle time. The goal is to link observed behavior to power-intent mechanism, ownership, and release risk.

Treat this as a signed interface between intent owners and implementers. Ambiguity here creates expensive late-stage debug loops.

INPUTS
  - UPF policy file(s) and revision tags
  - RTL control interface and PMU sequencing assumptions
  - legal power-state table and crossing inventory
  - implementation constraints for LP cells and rails

OUTPUTS
  - policy binding and insertion reports
  - transition coverage and assertion status
  - crossing risk list and ownership map
  - signoff decision memo

Domain map

POWER DOMAIN MAP — Power Switch Architecture

  +------------------- always_on -------------------+
  | PMU / control / retention rail                  |
  +---------+----------------------------+----------+
            |                            |
   +--------v---------+         +--------v---------+
   | domain_A         |         | domain_B         |
   | switchable       |<------->| switchable       |
   | iso/ret controls | crossings require policy   |
   +------------------+         +------------------+

Domain boundaries are policy boundaries, not drawing boundaries.

State transitions

STATE TRANSITIONS — Power Switch Architecture

ON  --save-->  RETENTION  --off-->  OFF
 ^               |                    |
 |               +----restore<--------+
 +--------------------power_up--------+

Guard checks:
  - isolation asserted before OFF
  - restore before functional traffic
  - reset policy consistent with retained state

Low-power deep dive

Voltage translation and switch topology must be co-optimized with transition reliability.

Concept diagram

CROSSING + GATING

domain crossing -> level shifter
domain enable   -> staged switches

Metric graph

INRUSH RISK

single-stage enable  █████████ high
staged enable        ███       lower

Reports and artifacts

• LS insertion summary

• switch enable schedule

• inrush profile

• AON control audit

Mini case study

Staged switch enable solved rail dip without violating wake latency budget.

Debug branches

• Check shifter direction map

• Audit switch staging

• Correlate with transient IR

Senior review question

Ask: what transition evidence proves this topic is closed, and which owner signs it?

Key takeaways

• State transition context must accompany every low-power metric claim.

• Intent changes require simulation, formal, and implementation re-validation.

Common pitfalls

• Comparing results from mismatched UPF revisions.

• Assuming static checks replace transition validation.

• Shipping with aged waivers and unclear ownership.

Execution drill pack 1

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 1

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 2

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 2

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 3

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 3

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 4

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 4

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 5

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 5

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 6

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 6

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 7

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 7

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 8

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 8

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 9

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 9

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 10

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 10

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 11

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 11

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 12

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 12

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Execution drill pack 13

Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

Transition checklist

• State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

• Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

• Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

• Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

Review prompts

1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

Evidence capsule

LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 13

PATH: low-power/level-shifters-switches/power-switch-architecture/inputs-outputs
STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
OWNER: <name>
PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

Principal LP review addendum

Header/footer switch networks gate domain supplies; sizing and distribution determine rush current, IR behavior, and wake-up stability.

Metric: switch IR drop, enable skew, and power-up settle time