Patent ID: 6701499
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for approximating a smooth function for implementation in an integrated circuit design, comprising:receiving a function f for computation with an accuracy of m bits by an integrated circuit, with argument x represented in a form of a fixed-point number with n binary digits; computing the function based on an operator with one more output than the accuracy of m bits, so that Fâ€²: (x1 x2 . . . xN)â†’(f1 f2 . . . fM fM+1); and determining a value off by choosing from one of at least two numbers as follows fâ€²1(x)=2âˆ’Mâˆ’1 [2M+1 f(x)] and fâ€²2(x)=2âˆ’Mâˆ’1 [2M+1 f(x)+1]; wherein the value is chosen based on complexity issues in the construction of a binary decision diagram for use in designing the integrated circuit.