Eco-SoC: A Sustainable VLSI Architecture for Energy-Proportional Artificial Intelligence

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2608.08761v1
• Date: Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:21:07 GMT
• Title: Eco-SoC: A Sustainable VLSI Architecture for Energy-Proportional Artificial Intelligence
• Abstract summary: This paper introduces Eco-SoC, a highly scalable VLSI architecture co-designed specifically for sustainable artificial intelligence.<n>We propose a hardware-level Dynamic Precision-Scaling Logic (DPSL) framework that adaptively modulates bit-width precision.<n>By introducing a thermal-aware power gating mechanism, Eco-SoC doubles the projected Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) of the silicon.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: In an era defined by escalating climate change and the pervasive deployment of edge intelligence, the environmental cost of semiconductor manufacturing and operation has reached a critical threshold. As Deep Learning (DL) accelerators dominate System-on-Chip (SoC) die area, achieving true sustainability requires a paradigm shift from static worst-case efficiency to dynamic energy-proportionality. This paper introduces Eco-SoC, a highly scalable VLSI architecture co-designed specifically for sustainable artificial intelligence. We propose a hardware-level Dynamic Precision-Scaling Logic (DPSL) framework that adaptively modulates bit-width precision based on real-time activation sparsity, successfully reducing switching activity by up to 42% on a commercial 7nm FinFET process node. Furthermore, we transcend traditional Power-Performance-Area (PPA) metrics by providing a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using the Architectural Carbon footprint Tool (ACT). Our synthesis demonstrates that Eco-SoC offsets its increased embodied carbon footprint (a marginal 4.8% area overhead) within 1.1 years of edge deployment. Finally, by introducing a thermal-aware power gating mechanism that mitigates localized hotspots, Eco-SoC doubles the projected Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) of the silicon, providing a tangible, scalable strategy for electronic waste (e-waste) mitigation in next-generation computing systems.

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