Clock Cycle

/ˈklɒk ˈsaɪkəl/

noun — "the fundamental timing interval of a synchronous system."

A Clock Cycle is the smallest repeating unit of time that governs operation in a synchronous digital system. It is defined by a clock signal, typically a periodic electrical waveform, that coordinates when components are allowed to change state. Each clock cycle represents one complete period of this signal, and it serves as the heartbeat that synchronizes computation, data movement, and control throughout a system.

Cycle Power

/ˈsaɪkəl ˈpaʊər/

noun — "energy consumption measured or managed per execution cycle."

Cycle Power refers to the amount of electrical energy consumed by a digital system during a single operational cycle, typically a clock cycle. In computing and electronic design, a cycle represents one complete tick of a system clock, during which logic transitions occur, instructions advance, or state changes propagate through hardware. Cycle power therefore expresses how much power is drawn each time the system performs its fundamental unit of work.