Switching Power

Switching power is that component of the dynamic power which is consumed in the NMOS and the PMOS transistors when the transition at the inputs cause a transition at the outputs. Switching power typically contributes to roughly 90% of the total dynamic power dissipated within the chip. It is a function of the supply voltage, the switching frequency and the output load. In complex CMOS gates, however, there might be switching at the internal nodes without the output capacitance being charged or discharged. Such internal transitions may also contribute the total switching power dissipated in a circuit. Also see: Dynamic Power.