Analysis and Modeling of Energy Consumption in RLC Tree Circuits

In this paper, the energy consumption of RLC trees is analytically modeled. In particular, the results obtained by the same authors for RC tree circuits [1] are generalized, allowing for a deep understanding of the impact of the inductance. The modeling approach proposed relies on the adoption of an equivalent 2nd-order RLC circuit, whose energy consumption is evaluated in a closed form. These results are then extended to RLC circuits with arbitrary order, deriving a simple and accurate model. The energy dependence on the input rise time is also analyzed in detail, identifying the ranges for which the RLC circuit can be approximated to a simple capacitance or an RC circuit. The model equations provide an insight into the dependence of the energy consumption on the circuit parameters. Indeed, the energy is explicitly expressed as a function of the resistances, capacitances and inductances of the original network. The energy model proposed is shown to be accurate enough for modeling purposes through comparison with SPICE simulations, as the error is typically in the order of a few percentage points.