Title :
A Metric for Automatic Word-Length Determination of Hardware Datapaths
Author :
Cantin, M.-A. ; Savaria, Yvon ; Prodanos, D. ; Lavoie, Philippe
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Ecole Polytech. de Montreal, Que.
Abstract :
A metric for the automatic determination of word lengths required for implementing DSP algorithms is proposed. The metric is capable of handling several error models computed between the fixed-point and the floating-point simulation results to model the impact of finite word lengths on the overall accuracy. It grades all the word-length combinations and guides a procedure towards the optimal solution. This metric was implemented in an automatic word-length determination tool to guide its search for better hardware implementations. It enables the creation of a framework for architecture and platform exploration
Keywords :
digital signal processing chips; fixed point arithmetic; floating point arithmetic; DSP algorithms; automatic word-length determination; finite word lengths; fixed-point simulation; floating-point simulation; hardware datapaths; Computational modeling; Costs; Data flow computing; Digital signal processing; Dynamic range; Electronic warfare; Hardware; Power dissipation; Radar; Stability; Automatic determination; floating-point to fixed-point conversion; metric; optimization; word length;
Journal_Title :
Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TCAD.2005.862733
