Patent ID: 6304889
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method of performing an exponential function on a base X raised to a power of N in a processor to maximize computational efficiency, the method comprising the steps of:(a) positioning at a starting node in an exponential tree stored in a memory of the processor, wherein the starting node represents the value of N;(b) creating a working value W in the memory of the processor and setting the working value W equal to the base X;(c) traversing the exponential tree in the memory of the processor from the starting node to an answer node and updating the working value W in the memory of the processor at each node encountered during the traversal, wherein the updating step comprises the step of squaring the working value in the memory of the processor when a next node is above and to the right of the current node, and wherein the updating step comprises the step of squaring the working value in the memory of the processor and multiplying a result thereof by X in the memory of the processor when the next node is above and to the left of the current node; and(d) outputting the working value W as a result of the exponential function.