Reconfigurable filter node for an adaptive computing machine

A reconfigurable filter node including an input data memory adapted to store a plurality of input data values, a filter coefficient memory adapted to store a plurality of filter coefficient values, and a plurality of computational units adapted to simultaneously compute filter data values. Filter data values are the outputs of a filter in response to input data values or a second plurality of filter coefficients to be used in subsequent filter data value computations. First and second input data registers load successive input data values input data memory or from adjacent computational units. Each computational unit comprises a pre-adder adapted to output either the sum two input data values stored in the computational unit or alternately to output a single input data value, and a multiply-and-accumulate unit adapted to multiply the output of the pre-adder by a filter coefficient and accumulate the result.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related in general to digital processing architectures and more specifically to the design of a reconfigurable filter node for use in an adaptive computing engine.

The advances made in the design and development of integrated circuits (“ICs”) have generally produced information processing devices falling into one of several distinct types or categories having different properties and functions, such as microprocessors and digital signal processors (“DSPs”), application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), and field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Each of these different types or categories of information processing devices have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Microprocessors and DSPs, for example, typically provide a flexible, software programmable solution for a wide variety of tasks. The flexibility of these devices requires a large amount of instruction decoding and processing, resulting in a comparatively small amount of processing resources devoted to actual algorithmic operations. Consequently, microprocessors and DSPs require significant processing resources, in the form of clock speed or silicon area, and consume significantly more power compared with other types of devices.

ASICs, while having comparative advantages in power consumption and size, use a fixed, “hard-wired” implementation of transistors to implement one or a small group of highly specific tasks. ASICs typically perform these tasks quite effectively; however, ASICs are not readily changeable, essentially requiring new masks and fabrication to realize any modifications to the intended tasks.

FPGAs allow a degree of post-fabrication modification, enabling some design and programming flexibility. FPGAs are comprised of small, repeating arrays of identical logic devices surrounded by several levels of programmable interconnects. Functions are implemented by configuring the interconnects to connect the logic devices in particular sequences and arrangements. Although FPGAs can be reconfigured after fabrication, the reconfiguring process is comparatively slow and is unsuitable for most real-time, immediate applications. Additionally, FPGAs are very expensive and very inefficient for implementation of particular functions. An algorithmic operation implemented on an FPGA may require orders of magnitude more silicon area, processing time, and power than its ASIC counterpart, particularly when the algorithm is a poor fit to the FPGA's array of homogeneous logic devices.

One type of valuable processing is implementing digital filters. Such filters are used in digital signal processing such as to encode or decode signals, modulate or demodulate communications, and perform interpolation or decimation of signals prior to additional processing. Most digital filtering must be performed in real-time, so processing speed is an important design consideration. In addition, with some applications, such as mobile telephones and communication devices, limited battery capacity makes power consumption a consideration. Cost is also a consideration for many applications, making the efficient use of silicon area a priority in filtering applications.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a node for use in an adaptive computing engine specifically adapted to digital filtering applications. It is further desirable that the digital filter node provide fast performance, flexible configuration, low power consumption, and low cost for a wide variety of digital filter types.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a reconfigurable filter node including an input data memory adapted to store a plurality of input data values, a filter coefficient memory adapted to store a plurality of filter coefficient values, and a plurality of computational units adapted to simultaneously compute filter data values. Each computational unit is adapted to process at least one input data value and one filter coefficient.

In an embodiment, the filter data values are the outputs of a filter in response to input data values. Alternatively, the filter data values are a second plurality of filter coefficients to be used in subsequent filter data value computations. The filter data values can be stored in the filter coefficient memory in this alternate embodiment.

In another embodiment, the plurality of computational units include a left computational unit, a right computational unit, and a plurality of intermediate computational units logically positioned between the left and right computational units. Each computational unit comprises a first input data value register adapted to store an input data value. Each first input data value register of the intermediate computational units is adapted to load a successive input data value from the first input data value register of an adjacent computational unit.

In a further embodiment, each computational unit further includes a second input data value register adapted to store an input data value. Each second input data value register of the intermediate computational units is adapted to load a successive input data value from the second input data value register of an adjacent computational unit. In yet another embodiment, the first and second input data value registers of each intermediate computational unit load successive data input values from different adjacent computational units.

An additional embodiment of the invention includes at least one multiplexer located between a pair of adjacent intermediate computational units to selectively disengage the pair of adjacent first and second input data registers and selectively engage the pair of adjacent first and second data registers to the input data memory.

In another embodiment of the invention, each computational unit comprises a pre-adder adapted to output either the sum two input data values stored in the computational unit or alternately to output a single input data value. In a further embodiment, each computational unit includes a multiply-and-accumulate unit adapted to multiply the output of the pre-adder by a filter coefficient and accumulate the result. A coefficient memory selects a first filter coefficient for simultaneous use by a first plurality of computational units, and a multiplexer alternately selects either the first filter coefficient or a second filter coefficient from the coefficient memory for use by a second plurality of computational units.

Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises an output data multiplexer for selectively accessing an output data value from each of the plurality of computational units. Optionally, an output data memory stores the output data values. A data address generator directs output data values to specified memory addresses within the output data memory. An optional additional data address generator specifies memory addresses to retrieve output data values.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To address the deficiencies of prior types of information processing devices, an adaptive computing engine (ACE) architecture has been developed that provides the programming flexibility of a microprocessor, the speed and efficiency of an ASIC, and the post-fabrication reconfiguration of an FPGA. The details of this architecture are disclosed in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/815,122, entitled “Adaptive Integrated Circuitry with Heterogeneous and Reconfigurable Matrices of Diverse and Adaptive Computational Units having Fixed, Application Specific Computational Elements,” filed on Mar. 22, 2001, and incorporated by reference herein.

In general, the ACE architecture includes a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements coupled together via a programmable interconnection network.FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment100of an ACE device. In this embodiment, the ACE device is realized on a single integrated circuit. A system bus interface102is provided for communication with external systems via an external system bus. A network input interface104is provided to send and receive real-time data. An external memory interface106is provided to enable this use of additional external memory devices, including SDRAM or flash memory devices. A network output interface108is provided for optionally communicating with additional ACE devices, as discussed below with respect toFIG. 2.

A plurality of heterogeneous computational elements (or nodes), including computing elements120,122,124, and126, comprise fixed and differing architectures corresponding to different algorithmic functions. Each node is specifically adapted to implement one of many different categories or types of functions, such as internal memory, logic and bit-level functions, arithmetic functions, control functions, and input and output functions. The quantity of nodes of differing types in an ACE device can vary according to the application requirements.

Because each node has a fixed architecture specifically adapted to its intended function, nodes approach the algorithmic efficiency of ASIC devices. For example, a binary logical node may be especially suited for bit-manipulation operations such as, logical AND, OR, NOR, XOR operations, bit shifting, etc. An arithmetic node may be especially well suited for math operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. Other types of nodes are possible that can be designed for optimal processing of specific types.

Programmable interconnection network10enables communication among a plurality of nodes, and interfaces102,104,106, and108. By changing the number and order of connections between various nodes, the programmable interconnection network is able to quickly reconfigure the ACE device for a variety of different tasks. For example, merely changing the configuration of the interconnections between nodes allows the same set of heterogeneous nodes to implement vastly different functions, such as linear or non-linear algorithmic operations, finite state machine operations, memory operations, bit-level manipulations, fast Fourier or discrete cosine transformations, and many other high level processing functions for advanced computing, signal processing, and communications applications.

In an embodiment, programmable interconnection network110comprises a network root130and a plurality of crosspoint switches, including switches132and134. In an embodiment, programmable interconnection network110is logically and/or physically arranged as a hierarchical tree to maximize distribution efficiency. In this embodiment, a number of nodes can be clustered together around a single crosspoint switch. The crosspoint switch is further connected with additional crosspoint switches, which facilitate communication between nodes in different clusters. For example, cluster112, which comprises nodes120,122,124, and126, is connected with crosspoint switch132to enable communication with the nodes of clusters114,116, and118. Crosspoint switch is further connected with additional crosspoint switches, for example crosspoint switch134via network root130, to enable communication between any of the plurality of nodes in ACE device100.

The programmable interconnection network110, in addition to facilitating communications between nodes within ACE device100, also enables communication with nodes within other ACE devices.FIG. 2shows a plurality of ACE devices202,204,206, and208, each having a plurality of nodes, connected together in a development system200. The system bus interface of ACE device202communicates with external systems via an external system bus. Real-time input is communicated to and from ACE device202via a network input interface210. Real-time inputs and additional data generated by ACE device202can be further communicated to ACE device204via network output interface212and network input interface214. ACE device204communicates real-time inputs and additional data generated by either itself or ACE device202to ACE device206via network output interface216. In this manner, any number of ACE devices may be coupled together to operate in parallel. Additionally, the network output interface218of the last ACE device in the series, ACE device208, communicates real-time data output and optionally forms a data feedback loop with ACE device202via multiplexer220.

As indicated above, there exists a need for a node in an adaptive computing engine (ACE) adapted to digital filtering applications that offers fast performance, flexible configuration, low power consumption, and low cost. In accordance with the present invention, a reconfigurable filter node (RFN) fulfills these requirements and integrates seamlessly with other types of nodes in the ACE architecture.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating the general internal structure of a node for use in a ACE. Node300can be any type of node, including a node for internal memory, logic and bit-level functions, arithmetic functions, control functions, input and output functions, or an RFN according to the present invention. Node300includes a node wrapper310to facilitate communications with the programmable interconnection network. Node wrapper310receives data and configuration information from the programmable interconnection network and distributes information as appropriate to the node core320. Node wrapper310also collects information from the node core320and sends it to other nodes or external devices via programmable interconnection network.

For receiving information, the node wrapper310includes a pipeline unit and a data distribution unit. For sending data, the node wrapper310includes a data aggregator unit and a pipeline unit. Node wrapper310also includes a hardware task manager340and a DMA engine330that coordinates direct memory access (DMA) operations.FIG. 5shows the node wrapper interface in more detail.

The node core320is specific to the intended function of the node. Generally, the node core320includes node memory350and an execution unit360. Node memory350serves as local storage for node configuration information and data processed by the node. Execution unit360processes data to perform the intended function of the node. The size and format of node memory350and the internal structure of the execution unit360are specific to the intended function of the node. For the RFN of the present invention, the execution unit360and the node memory350are designed as discussed below for digital filtering applications.

FIG. 4illustrates a block diagram of a node400showing the connections between the node wrapper410, node memory420, and the execution unit430. Execution unit430includes an execution unit controller440for controlling the functions of the execution unit, an optional instruction cache460for temporarily storing instructions to the execution unit controller440, an optional decoder470, and an execution data path450for processing data under the supervision of the execution unit controller440.

FIG. 6illustrates an embodiment of an execution unit controller600for controlling execution unit data path610. Execution unit controller610includes a sequencer615for processing controller instructions. Sequencer615operates pointer registers620and general purpose registers625to control the addressing, storage, and retrieval of information node memory. Sequencer615also configures the execution unit data path to implement the specific desired node function. ALU630is used to modify the information stored in general purpose registers625. Input port registers635and output port registers640are used by packet assembler650to format data for communication over the programmable interconnection network.

FIG. 7illustrates an execution unit (EU) data path700for a reconfigurable filter node according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, EU data path700includes Y memory unit702, X data unit704, M memory unit706, and I memory unit708. In this embodiment, each of the above memory units has a capacity of 1024 double words; however, other memory capacities may be used depending on the intended application. In an embodiment, data stored is standardized in 32-bit double-words. Y memory unit is coupled with input data formatter712. Input data formatter712optionally separates each data word into two components. For example, data may be packed as two real 16-bit samples in a 32-bit word, or I and Q data packed into a 16-bit word. This function is useful for applications which require simultaneous filtering of two separate signals, such as the processing of in-phase (I) and quadrature signals. Alternatively, input data from Y memory unit702is unmodified by input data formatter712where only a single signal is filtered.

I coefficient memory716and/or Q coefficient memory718are connected with the input data formatter712. Coefficient memories716and718store data from Y memory unit702. Coefficient memories716and718are further connected with the computational units726via switch724. The data stored in coefficient memories716and718are used as filter coefficients for filtering data. Filter coefficients are selected by data address generators (DAGs)720and722and input into computational units726as needed. Data address generators720and722generate memory addresses corresponding to the location of each coefficient to be stored or retrieved from the coefficient memories, thereby selecting the appropriate filter coefficient to be input into computation unit726. Depending on the filtering algorithm, data can be stored non-sequentially to optimize the performance of the EU data path700.

X memory unit704and M memory unit706are alternately connected via multiplexer710with input data formatter714and further with upper data memories728and730. Similarly to input data formatter712, input data formatter714optionally separates each data word into separate in-phase and quadrature components. Upper data memories728and730store input signal data to be filtered and/or signal data already partially or completely filtered. Upper data memories728and730are connected with the computational units726via switch736. Input signal data is selected by data address generators732and734and input into computational units726as needed. Data address generators732and734generate memory addresses corresponding to the location of the signal data to be stored or retrieved from the upper data memories728and730.

X memory unit704and M memory unit706are further connected to lower data memories738and742through multiplexers744and746. Lower data memories738and742store input signal data to be filtered and/or signal data already partially or completely filtered. Lower data memories738and742are connected with the computational units726via switch750. Input signal data is selected by data address generators746and748and input into computational units726as needed. Data address generators746and748generate memory addresses corresponding to the location of the signal data to be stored or retrieved from the lower data memories738and742.

In this embodiment, the coefficient memories716and718, the upper data memories728and730, and the lower data memories738and742each have a capacity of 128 words. The memory units may be sized according to the needs of the intended application; however, small data and coefficient memories are preferred to reduce power consumption in high-speed operations. Further efficiency is realized through the use of dual ported memories, which allow data to be read and written to a memory simultaneously.

As discussed in detail below, computational units726perform a filter convolution of the input signal data using the filter coefficients provided by the coefficient memories716and718. The filter output is sent from computational units726through multiplexer752to scaling unit754. Multiplexer752alternately selects data from either the filter output from computational units726or the data output from upper data memories728and730, which allows signal data already partially or completely filtered to be output from the upper data memories.

Scaling unit754scales the value of the filter output as needed and is further connected with the output data formatter756for repacking separate I and Q filter outputs into a combined double word-sized value. Formatted filter output data is then stored in output memory762at a memory address specified by data address generator758. Stored filter output data is retrieved from the output memory762at the memory address specified by data address generator760. Like the other memories associated with EU data path700, output memory762can be dual ported to allow simultaneous read and write operations.

Filter output data is alternately directed by multiplexer764from output memory762to either a packet assembler for forwarding to programmable interconnection network or back to multiplexer710for storage within the upper and/or lower data memories. Filter output data can also bypass the scaling unit754and be directed by multiplexer740to lower data memories for storage. Feedback of filter output data, through multiplexers764and/or740, allows the partially computed filter output to be temporarily stored prior to further processing by computational units726.

EU data path700further includes an execution unit finite state machine766that handles low-level, high-speed functions such as computational unit initialization and shifting. A nodal sequencer, such as the sequencer615as discussed above, directs the overall node configuration.

FIG. 8Aillustrates a simplified overview of the internal structure of the computational units800according to an embodiment of the invention.FIGS. 8B,8C, and8D illustrate the computational units800in more detail. In this embodiment800, the computational units are comprised of eight generally identical multiply-and-accumulate (MAC) units802,804,806,808,810,812,814, and816. Each MAC unit includes an upper data register, such as registers818,820,822,824,826,828,830, and832, and a lower data register, such as registers834,836,838,840,842,844,846, and848. The upper and lower data registers are alternately connected with X memory874or M memory876. Data from either of these sources can be selectively loaded into any of the upper or lower data registers.

Additionally, upper and lower data registers can selectively load data from an adjacent upper and lower data registers, respectively. An upper data register can load data from the upper data register to its immediate left, while a lower data register can load data from the lower data register to its immediate right. For example, upper data register820can load data from upper data register818. Similarly, lower data register846can load data from lower data register848. This arrangement allows data to be successively shifted left or right from one MAC unit to another. Upper data register818and lower data register848are further connected with upper data memory866and lower data memory868, respectively, to allow additional data to be “shifted-in” as data is shifted left or right to adjacent registers. Upper data register832, being the rightmost upper data register, is further connected with an input to lower data memory868, allowing data “shifted-out” of this register to be loaded into the lower data memory868.

Multiplexer860is connected with upper data memory866and upper data register824. The output of multiplexer860is connected with upper data register826. Multiplexer862is connected with lower data memory868and lower data register842. The output of multiplexer862is connected with lower data register840. Each multiplexer can alternately select data from either an adjacent register or from the upper or lower data memory to be loaded into the destination register. The multiplexers860and862allow the eight upper data registers and eight lower data registers to be operated as a pair of eight stage delay-lines, or as two pairs of four stage delay lines.

MAC unit802, which has a similar structure to the other MAC units, includes a first adder850for adding the contents of registers818and834. Multiplier852then multiplies the output of first adder850by a coefficient provided from the coefficient memories870, the structure of which is discussed above. Add/subtract accumulator854adds or subtracts the product from multiplier852to a previously computed filter output stored in register858. Accumulator854and register858may be used in some configurations to add the values of successive filter taps in an FIR filter. Accumulator854and register858may be used in other configurations to subtract entries to compute complex cross-terms. The output of accumulator854can be loaded into register858for use in successive computations. The output of accumulator854can also be selectively loaded into output register856when a series of computations is complete. Multiplexer872alternately selects output data from the contents of output register856or from the contents of similar output registers associated with the other MAC units.

A single coefficient from coefficient memories870is sent to each MAC unit simultaneously, so that each MAC unit multiplies its respective input data by the same coefficient. Alternatively, multiplexer864selects a second coefficient from the coefficient memories870, so that MAC units802,804,806, and808multiply using a first coefficient and MAC units810,812,814, and816multiply using a second coefficient. Multiplexer864, along with multiplexers860and862, allow the computational units800to act as a single filter computed with eight MAC units or to act as two separate filters computed with four MAC units each.

A RFN having an execution unit and computational units as disclosed above can implement a wide variety of digital filters. The following discussion illustrates example implementations of a few of these digital filters; however, the present invention is not limited to implementing only these example filters.

FIG. 9is a block diagram of an 80 tap, real, symmetric filter900that can be implemented by the RFN of the present invention. Since the filter900is symmetric, the filter coefficients hi, i=0, 1 . . . , N, have the property that hi=hN−i. Thus, the number of multiplies can be approximately halved by using folded adders to sum the data that would be multiplied by the same coefficient. In this example900, the even number of coefficients (80) is reduced to 40 multipliers using folded adders910. The folded adders910sum matching pairs of input data, such as x0and x79, x1and x78, and so forth. The summed inputs are then multiplied by their appropriate filter coefficients and summed by dot product operator920to produce a single filter output930.

FIG. 10is a simplified register level diagram1000showing the implementation of filter900with the computational units disclosed above. This implementation computes eight filter outputs in parallel. Input data1005is connected with upper data memory1008and eight upper data registers1010. Input data is also connected with lower data memory1012. Eight lower data registers1015are connected with lower data memory1012. The upper data registers1010and lower data registers1015are configured as eight element delay lines, with data from each register being successively shifted to adjacent registers.

Adder set1020comprises eight adders, each adder summing the contents of one upper data register and one lower data register. The summed inputs are then multiplied by the set of eight multipliers1025using a coefficient supplied by coefficient memory1022. The resulting eight products are separately accumulated using the set of eight accumulators1030. This process is repeated for each of the 40 filter coefficients. When the complete filter output has been computed, the output from each of the eight accumulators is stored in the set of eight output registers1035. Multiplexers1040selectively output the contents of each of the eight output registers1040as successive filter outputs while the computational units compute the next eight filter outputs. The output is scaled by shift registers1045to give the final filter output1050.

FIG. 11is a flow chart1100detailing the sequence of steps performed by the computational units in implementing filter900.FIG. 12is a timing diagram showing an example of the progression of input and output data during execution of this sequence of steps. At step1110, the lower data memory1012and lower data registers1015are loaded with the 47 oldest input data values from the last 94 input values stored in the node's X memory. The eight oldest input data values are loaded into the lower data registers1015. In the example ofFIG. 12, if computation begins at the eighth data point, the initializing values for the lower data registers1015are X8. . . X15, with X8loaded into the lower data register associated with the leftmost computation unit (CU#0) and X15loaded into the lower data register associated with the rightmost computation unit (CU#7). The remaining 39 input data values, X16. . . X54, are loaded into the lower data memory1012.

Step1115loads the upper data memory1008and upper data registers1010with the newest 47 input data values from the node's X memory. Continuing with the above example, the eight data values X87. . . X94are loaded into the 8 upper data registers1010, with X87loaded into the upper data register associated with CU #0, the left-most computation unit, and X94loaded into the upper data register associated with CU #7, the right-most computational unit. The remaining 39 input data values, X48. . . X86, are read from X memory into the upper data memory1008.

At Step1120, as the filter computation begins, the coefficient memory1022outputs the first filter coefficient, h0, to all eight multipliers1025simultaneously. The partial filter output is computed by each computation unit at Step1125by summing each pair of upper and lower data registers with adders1020, multiplying each sum by the filter coefficient using multipliers1025, and accumulating the result in accumulators1030. In the above example, CU #0 first computes Y8,87=(X8+X87)*h0while CU#7 computes Y15,94=(X15+X94)*h0.

If the filter computation is complete, which is determined in Step1130by the use of the last filter coefficient, the accumulated outputs are stored in output registers1035at step1145. Otherwise, the coefficient memory1022outputs the next filter coefficient, for example h1, to all eight multipliers1025simultaneously at Step1135.

In Step1140, the data values from the upper data registers1010are shifted to the register to the right, and the data values from the lower data registers1015are shifted to register to the left. New data is read from the upper and lower memories (1008and1012) and shifted into the left-most upper and right-most lower data registers. In this example, upper data memory1008successively outputs the 39 values X86. . . X48to the left-most upper data register and the lower data memory1012successively outputs the 39 values X16. . . X54to the right-most lower data register.

Following the shifting of register data at Step1140, the computation of Step1125is repeated. The output of each computational unit is added to the previously computed output and stored in accumulators1030. Steps1125-1140are repeated using each filter coefficient in succession until the filter computation is complete, as discussed above. In the above example, these steps are repeated for all 40 filter coefficients, so that CU #0 finishes the filter computation by computing Y47,48=(X47+X48)*h39and CU #7 computes Y54,55=(X54+X55)*h39.

As discussed above, the eight completed filter outputs values are transferred to output registers in Step1145. The timing diagram ofFIG. 12shows that the eight computational units have computed eight successive filter outputs in parallel. In Step1150, these eight filter outputs are sequentially output using multiplexers1040, and scaled with shift register1045.

While Step1150outputs the filtered data values, the computational units can begin computation of the next eight filter outputs immediately. As shown in the example ofFIG. 12, each filtered data value is output over a five clock cycle duration, so that all eight filtered data values are output over a 40 clock cycle period. At this point, the next batch of eight filtered data values is ready for output. The computation proceeds as discussed above, with the upper data registers initialized with eight new starting values from the X memory, X95. . . X102. The eight new starting values can be loaded into the right side partition of each upper data register during processing of the previous set of data values with the left side registers. Similarly, starting values for the lower registers, X16. . . X23, can be captured in the left side registers of the lower data registers during the computation of the previous set of filter outputs. Further, the lower memory loads eight new values, X55. . . X62, from the upper memory as they are processed with the previous set of filter outputs.

FIG. 13shows a block diagram of an example half-complex, single-rate filter1300that can be implemented by the RFN of the present invention. A half-complex filter applies the same set of real filter coefficients to the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of a complex-valued input. Unlike fully complex filters, there are no cross-terms associated with a half-complex filter. An example application of a half-complex filter is a root-raised-cosine (RRC) filter operating on complex data produced by mixing a real signal with a complex local oscillator.

Half-complex filter1300is comprised of two separate folded adders,1310and1320, receiving I and Q input data, respectively. The folded adders1310and1320sum corresponding pairs of I and Q input data. A pair of dot product operators1330and1340multiply the summed pairs of input data at each filter tap by the appropriate filter coefficient and accumulate the results. The summed I and Q filter taps are scaled by scaling unit1345to yield I filter output1350and Q filter output1360.

FIG. 14shows the simplified configuration1400of the above-described RFN to implement half-complex filter1300. In this configuration, packed input data stored in X memory1405is unpacked and selectively loaded in upper data memories1415and1420and lower data memories1417and1422. I input data is loaded into memories1415and1417, while Q input data is loaded into memories1420and1422. Similar to the implementation of filter900discussed above, the upper and lower data memories feed input data to the computational units. Unlike the implementation of filter900, the implementation of filter1300configures the computational units to act as two separate delay lines of four delays each, rather than a single eight unit delay line. As discussed above, multiplexers860and862are used to configure the computational units in this manner.

Memories1415and1417send I input data in opposite directions along the four element delay line formed by computational units1430,1432,1434, and1436. Similarly, memories1420and1422send Q input data in opposite directions along the four element delay line formed by computational units1438,1440,1442, and1444. Each computational unit sums the corresponding pairs of input data, multiplies this sum by the filter coefficient simultaneously provided by memory1425, and accumulates the result. This process is repeated for all 40 filter coefficients, with the appropriate input data values shifted to adjacent computational units in a manner similar to the computation of filter900, except using only four computational units for each set of input data, rather than eight.

Once a set of I and Q input data has been processed, the I and Q filter values are loaded into output registers and sequentially sent to scaling unit1450for output. In this implementation, the computational units compute in parallel four sequential I filter outputs and four corresponding sequential Q filters outputs. In a further embodiment, the scaled 16 bit I and Q filter outputs are repacked into a 32 bit double word.

Interpolation by two and by eight are used in W-CDMA applications to increase the sample rate. The first step in interpolation by eight is to increase the data rate by inserting seven zeros between successive input samples, x(t). Zero insertion replicates the input signal spectrum at higher-order frequencies. To avoid aliasing, an interpolation filter removes the high-order spectral replicates. In doing so, it automatically interpolates the original signal by a factor of eight. To avoid wasteful multiplication by zero-valued input data, a polyphase filter may used.

FIG. 15shows a block diagram1500of a polyphase 8 times interpolation filter. To avoid multiplication by zero in the interpolation by eight, the filtering operation is split into eight sub-filters, such as sub-filters1520,1525, and1555. The other five sub-filters are omitted fromFIG. 15for clarity. Each sub-filter uses alternate sets of every eighth coefficient to produce every eighth filter output. Switch1560selects each of the eight sub-filter outputs for every input data value to give the interpolated filter output. Because there is no zero insertion, every right data shift of the sub-filters corresponds to eight shifts of the interpolated output.

FIG. 16shows the simplified configuration1600of the above-described RFN to implement the interpolation by eight filter1500. This configuration resembles the configuration used for the single-rate real, symmetric filter900, but differs significantly in the addressing of data and coefficients and sequencing of the output. Unlike the single-rate filter900, the eight sub-filters of filter1500use the same input data but require different filter coefficients.

To maximize the utilization of the eight computational units, the computational units in this configuration are used in a dataflow manner to compute eight successive sub-filter outputs from a single sub-filter before processing the next sub-filter. Each of the eight computational units computes a separate output point of the first sub-filter. After all of the input data has been processed with the first sub-filter's coefficients, the coefficients are changed to the next sub-filter and each computational unit computes the next eight interleaved output points of the second-sub-filter. This process continues until eight successive outputs of each of the eight sub-filters are computed.

The computation of each set of eight sub-filter outputs is just like that in the single rate filter900, with each computational unit producing a successive filter output. Here, however, the successive filter outputs represent every eighth filter output, rather than eight sequential filter outputs. The upper data memory1650is initialized with N/8+6 data values before the first computation, where N is the underlying zero-padded filter length and N/8 is the length of each of eight sub-filters. Then the newest eight data points are loaded from X-Memory into the initialization registers in the upper row of registers associated with the computational units, while simultaneously one of these, the newest data value, is loaded into the Upper Data Memory, providing a total of N/8+7 data samples in memory.

Coefficient Memory1660, having N coefficient values stored in it, outputs every eighth value starting with the first coefficient for the first sub-filter. This coefficient, is used by all eight multiply-accumulate units. DAG1610selects the appropriate filter coefficient from the coefficient memory1660, by generating every eighth memory address. Upper data memory1650then shifts out N/8−1 more data values that are multiplied by the same number of coefficients and accumulated in each of the eight computational unit accumulators. This is repeated using all the input data and sub-filter coefficients to compute eight successive sub-filter outputs.

Since the successive output data from each sub-filter need to be interleaved with the output from the other sub-filters, the sub-filter outputs are stored in an output buffer and rearranged in order for final output. Data Address Generators (DAGs)1620and1630are used to properly sequence the filter output. DAG1620determines the address for storing a given sub-filter output in output data memory1640, while DAG1630selects data for output from output data memory1630.

In an embodiment, there is an optional output-packing step. In one embodiment, DAGs1620and1630interleave sub-filter outputs from each phase in the output data memory. After all of the sub-filters have processed a set of input data, the output data memories1630and/or1640contain the complete filter output data in proper sequential order. In an alternate embodiment, each sub-filter's outputs are separately stored sequentially in the output data memories1630and/or1640. After all of the subfilters have processed a set of input data, DAGs1620and1630read sub-filter outputs from the data output memory non-sequentially to output the complete filter data in the proper sequence.

The size of the output data memory1640, double-buffered for reordering while new outputs are being produced, is the product of twice the number of computational units and the interpolation factor. The length of the interpolation filter, N, is limited by the amount of available memory. The amount of original data needed by a N-length zero-padded interpolate-by-eight filter is N/8. In an embodiment where the filter length N is 128, the maximum space needed is memory for sixteen samples. An additional sample is taken in as the first block is processed for a total of seventeen samples needed in memory for computing a single output. Since this configuration computes eight successive sub-filter outputs for efficiency, seven more samples are required in data memory for a total of twenty-four. For an asymmetrical filter, no lower data memory is required, as shown inFIG. 16.

While the computations for each sub-filter are being done, the eight most recent values in memory are used to initialize the eight computational units for the next sub-filter computation. Since this initialization is done during the eight multiply-accumulates of the previous sub-filter computation, one of the computational units may be required to be double-registered. During the computation of the last sub-filter, only the seven most recent data values are used to initialize the computational units, while the eighth data value comes from a new input data value and is simultaneously used to initialize the eighth computational unit (CU #7) and is stored in upper data memory1650for subsequent dot products.

AlthoughFIG. 16shows the configuration of this RFN to implement the real filter1500, a similar configuration can be used for interpolation with a half-complex filter.

FIG. 17shows a block diagram1700of real, interpolation by two filter, andFIG. 18shows the simplified configuration1800of the above-described RFN to implement the interpolation by two filter1700. The configuration1800for the interpolation by two filter1700differs from the configuration1600for the interpolation by eight filter primarily by the size of the output data buffer1810. The output data buffer1810is a double buffer whose size is twice the product of the interpolation factor and the number of computational units. In the embodiment ofFIG. 18, this is 32 data words.

The configuration1800operates in a similar fashion to configuration1600. Since there are only two sub-filters in this case, the configuration1800first computes eight sub-filter outputs from the odd filter coefficients, and then computes eight sub-filter outputs from the even filter coefficients. The odd and even sub-filter outputs are interleaved to produce the final interpolation by two filter output.

W-CDMA applications require interpolation by two using a 97-tap half-complex filter. Implementation of this filter as a polyphase design at the data rates used by W-CDMA requires 2980 million multiplies per second. However, symmetry can be exploited to reduce the required number of computations. When the underlying filter is symmetric, has an odd number of coefficients, and has only two phases, the sub-filters of a multi-rate polyphase filter are also symmetric. In this case, the symmetry of the polyphase filters can be exploited to reduce the number of multiplies by a factor of 2.

For original filters of length 4N+1, where N is an integer, interpolations by 2 can be decomposed into two symmetric polyphase filters of lengths 2N+1 and 2N. Using folded adders, these filters can themselves be decomposed into folded filters of lengths N+1 and N, halving the number of multiplies. In the implementation of the 97-tap half complex filter discussed above, the number of multiplies is reduced to 1490 MMpy/s. This is within the capabilities of an embodiment of the invention having eight multipliers operating at 200 MHz.

FIG. 19shows a block diagram of a 97-tap half-complex filter1900that exploits this polyphase symmetry. Filter1900comprises a polyphase filter1910for the I input data and a second polyphase filter1920for the Q input data. Each of the sub-filters of the polyphase filters1910and1920are symmetrical, allowing the use of folded adders to reduce the total number of filter taps. For each polyphase filter in this example, one sub-filter has an even length and the other an odd length. When the sub-filter has odd length, N, taking every other coefficient starting with the first for the first polyphase sub-filter results in the first sub-filter having (N−1)/2+1 coefficients, an odd number. This results in the input data value added to itself at was the center of the unfolded filter, so in the folded adder implementation, half the value of the center coefficient should be used. For the second, even length sub-filter, the remaining coefficients to form a filter with (N−1)/2 coefficients, an even number.

FIG. 20shows the configuration2000of a RFN implementing filter1900. In this implementation2000of filter1900, four complex outputs of the first sub-filter are computed using the group2010of computational units to compute the I sub-filter output and the group2020of computational units to compute the Q sub-filter output. The multiplexers are configured in a similar fashion to that described with a single-rate, half-complex filter discussed above. Data address generators2030,2040, and2050are used to select filter coefficients and sort sub-filter output data as discussed above with regard to polyphase filters. In an embodiment, there is an optional output data packing stage, for example putting a complex data point into one double word.

The upper delay line and the lower delay line of each sub-filter are initialized prior to each output computation. For the first sub-filter, the upper shift registers and the upper data memory are initialized with the four newest complex data samples. On the very first execution of this configuration2000, the lower shift registers are initialized from the lower data memory. On subsequent executions, the lower shift registers are initialized by capturing input data from previous executions as they pass.

Initialization of the second sub-filter is done after the first shift of the lower folded delay line of the first sub-filter. The initial values for the upper delay line are the same as the initial values of the upper delay line for the first sub-filter. The correct initial values for the lower line are the next data values to the right at the start of the first sub-filter execution. Because both sub-filters in an interpolator use the same data, the lower delay line may be initialized with the oldest data samples by capturing them into the initialization registers as they fly by on earlier calculations, as discussed above.

The output data memory2060is a double buffer whose size is twice the number of data points produced by a single pass of both filters. For the special case, this is 2×2 sub-filters×4 complex points per sub-filter, or 16 double words or 32 words. In this configuration2000, the number of complex filter outputs produced in each execution cycle is equal to half the total number of computational units.

The RFN can also be configured to perform decimation filtering. Decimation filtering is used to reduce the sample rate of oversampled signals. For example, the Telematics application requires decimation of up to a factor of 32. A polyphase filter is an implementation of decimation filtering. In general, a polyphase decimation by N filter divides the required filter dot product into N shorter dot products and sums their output, producing exactly the same output that the direct filter would if it only generated the required output samples. In a polyphase decimation filter, every Nth input sample is directed into a separate polyphase filter.FIG. 21shows an example polyphase decimation by eight filter2100. Sequential input samples are directed into separate polyphase filters by switch2105. The sub-filter outputs are summed by output summer2110.

FIG. 22shows a configuration2200of a RFN to implement a decimation by 32 filter. The decimation filter uses the efficient polyphase structure ofFIG. 21, but with 32 sub-filters. If the original single-rate decimation by 32 filter has 128 coefficients, each sub-filter of the polyphase filter has 4 coefficients. Configuration2200uses group2210of four computational units for I input data computations and group2220of four computational units for Q input data computations. In this configuration2200, there is no connection between the total number of filter coefficients and the number of computational units.

In the polyphase configuration2200, four polyphase sub-filter outputs are computed per initialization. The computational units of groups2210and2220are initialized from the X-memory2225and then fed in a dataflow fashion from the upper data memories2230and2235to compute an I or Q sub-filter outputs at each computational unit. At the same time that the computational units of2210and2220are being initialized with the most recent data, the input data values that will be reused on the next computation of this sub-filter output are placed into the upper data memories2230and2235. Unlike prior configurations, no lower data memory is needed if the filters are asymmetric.

In the case of a 128-coefficient decimation by 32 filter comprised of thirty-two sub-filters, a complete four-tap sub-filter output is computed from just four data points, consisting of the initial datum plus 3 more. Thus by initializing and shifting three input data values from the upper data memories2230and2235through the computational units, four complex sub-filter outputs may be computed. The results of the four complex sub-filter outputs are stored in the accumulators associated with each computational unit.

The second and subsequent sub-filters are initialized from input data shifted during the execution of the previous sub-filter execution. In the example of a four coefficient sub-filter, there are only three shifts of input data, so only three of the four new initialization points needed for each group may be stored in the computational units memory from X-memory2225. In this situation, the computational units of groups2210and2220are idle while the fourth input data value is loaded for the next sub-filter execution. When the number of sub-filter coefficients is greater than the number of computational units used for each sub-filter, as may be the case for lower decimation factors, this idle time does not occur because there are enough clock cycles for all four of the computational units of each group to be initialized for the next sub-filter execution.

Following the initialization of the second or subsequent sub-filters, the four complex sub-filter outputs are added to the previously accumulated sub-filter outputs stored in the accumulators associated with each computational unit. After all thirty-two sub-filter outputs are calculated, the sum of all thirty-two sub-filter outputs resides in the accumulators and may be shifted out while the next set of computations begins. The accumulators sum the sub-filter outputs without the use of a separate output summer2110as shown inFIG. 21.

Computation of a single polyphase output based on a 128-tap filter requires 128 input data values, and computation of four decimated outputs requires approximately an additional three times the decimation factor number of points. As a result, the size of the upper data memories is doubled. In an alternate embodiment, the additional memory required may be taken from the lower data memory, which is not needed for an asymmetrical filter.

Polyphase filter symmetry may be exploited in decimation filters when there is decimation by two and the single-rate decimation filter's length is 4N+1. In this situation, the sub-filters of each polyphase filter are symmetrical, allowing the number of multiplications to halved through the use of folded adders.

FIG. 23shows a configuration2300of an RFN implementing an odd length, half-complex, decimation by 2 filter exploiting this symmetry. Configuration2300operates in a similar manner to configuration2000of an odd length interpolation by 2 filter. However, configuration2300executes the two decimation sub-filters with different input data values owing to the switch used to direct input values in polyphase decimation filters, such as switch2105in the example decimation filter discussed above. Therefore, initialization of the lower folded delay line after switching from one sub-filter to the other cannot be done by retaining old values as it was for interpolation. Instead, initialization of both delay lines must be done via the X-register. This requires four more initialization cycles. Alternatively, computational units have additional registers to save previous values, or a Y-register is used simultaneously.FIG. 23shows additional initialization paths2305,2310,2315,2320,2325,2330,2335, and2340connected with the lower data registers of each computational unit.

As with decimation by 32, efficient use of configuration2300is achieved by computing four successive outputs sequentially from each sub-filter and storing them in an output buffer for sorting out. Computation of four outputs from each sub-filter requires an output buffer of sixteen double words.

In an example, using an N=255-coefficient decimation by two filter, the number of coefficients for the first sub-filter is (N−1)/2+1 and for the second sub-filter is (N−1)/2. Taking account of the symmetry of the sub-filters, the first sub-filter requires (N−1)/4+1 different coefficients and the second sub-filter requires (N−1)/4, a total of (N−1)/2+1, or 128 coefficients. Continuing with the example of a 255-coefficient decimation by 2 filter, the simultaneous computation of 4 outputs requires an input buffer with an upper data memory of approximately 128 data words plus the decimation factor (2) times the number of outputs computed (4), plus any new data stored in the memory during the computation (the number of outputs, 4, times the decimation factor 2), for a total of 144 words of memory each for the I and Q data inputs.

The RFN can also perform half-band filtering. Half-band filters always have zeros for the even coefficients, except for the center coefficient, which is unity.FIG. 24shows an example half-band interpolation filter impulse response2405. The direct implementation of this filter,2410, is inefficient because of the numerous wasteful multiplies by zero. The polyphase implementation2415uses a first sub-filter2420with the odd, non-zero valued coefficients, and a second sub-filter2425with the even coefficients. Since the even-coefficients are zero, except for the center coefficient, filter2425acts as a simple delay unit.

FIG. 25shows configuration2500for implementing this polyphase half-band interpolation filter. The first sub-filter is implemented as described above for a half-complex polyphase decimation by 2 filter. However, since the second sub-filter is merely a delay, it is implemented using multiplexers2510and2520to divert an input data values from memory to the output after the appropriate delay time. Data address generators2515and2525select from memory the appropriate input data values that correspond to the delayed filter outputs at the proper time. In a further embodiment, if the half-band interpolation filter is symmetric, folded adders can be used to reduce the number of multiplies for the first sub-filter. For example, IEEE 802.11 a wireless data applications can benefit from this optimization.

Half-band decimation filters can also be implemented with this RFN.FIG. 26shows a half-band decimation filter impulse response2600. The direct implementation of this filter,2610, is inefficient because of the numerous wasteful multiplies by zero. The polyphase implementation2615uses a first sub-filter2620with the odd, non-zero valued coefficients, and a second sub-filter2625with the even coefficients. Since the even-coefficients are zero, except for the center coefficient, filter2625acts as a simple delay unit.

FIG. 27shows a configuration2700of the RFN implementing the half-band decimation filter. Similar to its half-band interpolation counterpart, the half-band decimation by 2 filter has a first sub-filter and a delay. In the half-band decimation filter, the output from the delay is summed with the first sub-filter output. Since summing the delayed input value with the first sub-filter output can be viewed as an additional coefficient of unity, the configuration2700only needs to use data address generator2710to move an additional unity valued coefficient into the computational units at the appropriate time. No output buffer is needed in this configuration.

Adaptive filters are filters whose coefficients change over time to produce a desired result. In general, adaptive filters may have complex-valued coefficients. The coefficients are adjusted over time by an adaptive algorithm. A large number of adaptive algorithms exist and many variants of each are possible to simplify computations or decrease the convergence time to a desired result. Coefficient updates may occur as often as every input sample or far less frequently, for example to track a slowly changing signal environment.

FIG. 28shows the implementation of the complex FIR filter2810as a straightforward complex dot product. In general, adaptive filters must be implemented as complex dot products with coefficient vectors drawn from a register for the duration of the dot product. Because the coefficients change as they are updated, it must be double-buffered, as shown in block diagram2820, so that new coefficient values do not interfere with ongoing filter computations.

The coefficient update computation usually involves the adaptive filter output, the present filter coefficients, and the input data vector, and sometimes other scalar quantities and vectors. Since the filter outputs, the input data and the current weights are all available within the RFN, it is desirable from a speed and power perspective to perform the update computation entirely within the RFN whenever possible. Occasionally, coefficient computations require operations such as division, square root, and magnitude computations. These computations may be done in a separate programmable DSP-oriented node and sent to the RFN for further processing.

Programmable sequencer766within the RFN enables the node to perform programmable vector operations used in adaptive filters, including vector additions, scalar/vector multiplications, vector complex conjugates, and vector dot products. Adaptive filter techniques such as standard LMS, Griffiths LMS, and normalized LMS are all capable of being performed entirely within the RFN, with additional desired signal and normalization factors computed in another node.

Adaptive filters may be implemented by the RFN by time-sharing update computations with FIR filtering computations. In this implementation, extra memory storage holds the values used in the update computations.FIG. 29shows a configuration2900of the RFN implementing a complex adaptive FIR filter. In this example implementation, it is assumed that the FIR filter is fully complex and symmetrical and that the input data is complex.

In the complex FIR filter, the complex conjugate of the filter weights is multiplied by the data to form the output. Configuration2900computes four complex outputs by the four pairs of computational units. Because two dot products are required per computational unit per output, two passes of the input data and filter coefficients are made and the computational units accumulate the output. As shown inFIG. 28, one dot product must be negated to produce the filter output. The negation of dot products is performed by the accumulators associated with each computational unit. As mentioned above, the accumulators associated with each computational unit are add/subtract accumulators and are therefore able to subtract as well as to add. The complex filter also needs access to the I and Q data inputs to compute cross-products. Switches2910and2920, also shown inFIG. 8A, provide the appropriate data to the computational units.

The update computations for adaptive filters depend on the update algorithm. The programmable sequencer766is used to implement the steps needed for the update algorithm. An example of an update computation that could be done entirely on the RFN is the Griffiths algorithm, which is
h(n+1)=h(n)+μ[P−X(n)y*(n))]=h(n)+μP−μX(n)y*(n)

whereh(n+1) is the new coefficient vector of length N,h(n) is the old coefficient vector of length N,P is a constant vector of length N supplied by the algorithm designer,X(n) is the complex data vector of length N,y*(n) is the complex conjugate of the scalar output of the filter,μ is a scalar, usually a small number compared to XHX.

The new coefficient vector may be computed by first computing the filter output y(n) and shifting it to provide μy(n). Alternatively, a computational unit can explicitly compute μy(n) while simultaneously negating it. −μy*(n) is then multiplied by X(n) in a computational unit, and the result is added to the pre-computed μP in a pre-adder, followed by adding to h(n) again in a pre-adder. After each component is added in the pre-adder, it is immediately output and stored in a small temporary register. The final coefficient vector replaces the old coefficients in the next FIR filter calculation.

Adaptive filter update computations may be optimized for use with the RFN node.FIG. 30shows an example update computation that is unoptimized for the RFN. This update requires the computation of the following vectors:

These vector additions may be done almost simultaneously, with one clock delay, by pipelining the additions. At the same time, the vectors can be multiplied by scalars. In an example embodiment, if D=10, X is a vector of 21 complex data samples, and there are eight computational units in this implementation, then computation of y*X with two computational units (one for I input data and one for Q input data) requires 21×2 clocks. Computation of the vector μ(P−y*X) in two addition computational units requires only one additional clock cycle since it is pipelined. Adding Wn+1=Wn+μ(P−y*X) in two more computation units requires one more clock cycle owing to pipelining. Applying the constraintwD−m=½(wD−m+w*D+m); m=0,1, . . . D requires a few (e.g. 2-3) more multiply-add clock cycles, depending on details of its implementation.

FIG. 31shows an improvement to the update calculation to achieve the desired speed. This example updates the 11-element, non-redundant part of the weight vector. Continuing with the above example, the constrained adaptive update computation can be minimized by using D+1 vectors. It can be shown that the constrained update is equivalent to:
wD−m[n+1]=wD−m[n]+μ/2(pD−m+p*D+m)−μ/2yi(xiD−m+xiD+m)+yq(xqD−m+xqD+m)+j(yi(xqD−m−xqD+m)−yq(xiD−m−xiD+m)), m=0, 1 . . . D
wherewD+m[n+1]=w*D−m[n+1], m=1,2 . . . D

The weight vector may be computed as a D+1 vector and never expanded. If D=10, X is a 21-element vector, and eight computational units are used in this implementation, then the computation of the terms involving y and x may be done with six computational units (three pipelined for I shown inFIG. 31, and the three for Q not shown) in 11+1+1 clocks. Pre-adding the first and only non-zero term of P in the simplified form of the algorithm requires no additional clocks since it can be done at the same time as the first add and accumulated. Adding the weight in two more computational units requires one additional clock cycle to compute the D+1 length weight vector, for a total update computation time of 14 clocks for the simplified P vector form. Alternatively, a general P vector would use some intermediate storage in the output memory and recirculation in a computational unit, resulting in 10 additional clocks. Additionally, the weight vector never needs to be explicitly expanded and computation of the dot product for the FIR filter may be done with the weight vector compressed.

Additional optimizations may be realized if the filter is conjugate-symmetrically constrained.FIG. 32shows the update computation using the non-redundant half of the conjugate-symmetric weight vector. Combined with the accelerated update calculation discussed with respect toFIG. 31, this optimization of the FIR filter output computation allows the ability to adapt the filter after every output for a 21-element weight vector.

The computation of the constrained FIR filter can be minimized by using D+1 vectors. It can be shown that the conjugate-symmetrically-constrained FIR filter output is equivalent to:

y=WHX, whereWand X are vectors of length 2D+1, and H signifies transpose conjugate.

Ordinarily this would require 4×(2D+1) real multiplies. If D=10 this is 84 multiplies. However, since W is conjugate symmetric,
wD+m=w*D−m, m=0,1,2. . . D
and y can be expressed by pre-summing symmetric terms of X and computing the dot product, resulting in half as many real multiplies:
y=wDxD+Σ (w*D−mxD−m+wD−mxD+m), m =1, 2, . . . D

The number of real multiplies is 4D+2 because wDis real. For D=10 computing y requires 42 real multiplies. The weight vector may be computed as a D+1 vector and never expanded.

Because of the conjugation of w, the data cannot simply be summed and multiplied, but rather computed as follows:
y=wDxiD+j wDxqD+Σ wiD−m(xiD−m+xiD+m)+wqD−m(xqD−m−xqD+m)+j(wiD−m(xqD−m+xqD+m)−wq(xiD−m −xiD+m)), m=1,2. . .D

If D=10 and X is a 21-element vector, computation may be done with six computational units (three pipelined for I shown inFIG. 32, the three for Q not shown) in 11+1, or 12 clocks. Since in this example application there are 52 clocks available per sample, both the dot product (12 clocks) and the adaptive update for the simplified Griffiths algorithm (14 clocks) can be performed between samples in 26 clocks.

Sparse adaptive filters are often used in W-CDMA multipath combiners.FIG. 33shows a block diagram of a sparse adaptive filter used in this type of application. These filters are characterized by having a small number of non-zero complex coefficients compared to the total number of taps in the filter. Unlike the half-band filters, the location of the non-zero coefficients are not evenly distributed. Since the filter is adaptive, the coefficient values themselves can be adaptively updated.

Sparse filters require that a table of active tap locations be kept and used to address the data values to be multiplied by the coefficients. In an example W-CDMA application, it is assumed that the number of complex coefficients used is no greater than L=16 active out of a possible 128 tap locations. However, any number of coefficients may be used in other applications. In the example W-CDMA application, adaptation of the 16 sparse coefficients occurs on every chip, at a W-CDMA chip rate of 3.84 MHz rate. The update calculation can be a Griffiths algorithm, as discussed above, or any other adaptive filter algorithm.

Sparse filters cannot make efficient use of more multipliers than it takes to compute a single output point because their non-zero coefficients are non-uniformly spaced; hence they have no polyphase representation. As a result,FIG. 34shows a configuration3400of a sparse adaptive filter using only two computational units. Configuration3400computes the output of complex sparse filters one point at a time.

A special requirement of sparse filters is that the program provides a short list (e.g. 16) of coefficient locations, which changes from time to time. Thus the data address generators fetch the input data according to the list of relative coefficient positions. There is no corresponding complication for the coefficient data address generators, which simply fetch the coefficients in numerical order.

Multistage filters are efficient sample-rate changers and are often required in receiver and transmitter applications. For example, the IEEE 802.11 a receiver may require multirate filters. Common applications use three stage multirate filters. In addition, a fourth stage of adaptive filtering is sometimes required. Multi-stage filters require that the output of one stage becomes the input to the next stage.FIG. 35shows the arrangement of a three stage multirate filter. A requirement for these filters is that intermediate memory retain state variables of the filters as the multipliers are applied first to one stage and then another. For power conservation, it is desirable to store intermediate results in registers, for example I memory708shown inFIG. 7, rather than in memory. The size of the intermediate data memory required per stage is equal to the number of taps on the intermediate filters plus the number of computational units used in a stage. The only limit on the number of stages implemented is the availability of intermediate memory. Further, any allowable data format (real, half-complex, or complex) or any combination of formats that makes sense may be used between filters.

The foregoing describes a reconfigurable filter node that provides fast performance, flexible configuration, low power consumption, and low cost for a wide variety of digital filter types. The reconfigurable filter node can be easily configured to implement virtually any type of digital filter, including single-rate, polyphase, and adaptive finite impulse response filters. The reconfigurable filter node can filter real, half-complex, or complex inputs and use symmetrical or asymmetric coefficients. The reconfigurable filter node is not limited to the filters or applications discussed. A principal advantage of the present invention is the ability to easily adapt the reconfigurable filter node to different applications as needed.

Although the invention has been discussed with respect to specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and not restrictive, of the invention. For example, although the node has been described as part of an adaptive computing machine, or environment, aspects of the filter node design, processing and functions can be used with other types of systems. The node can also be operated as a stand-alone processor, or as a processing device in other architectures. Deviations, or variations, from the specific design ofFIG. 8are possible and are within the scope of the invention. For example, more or less computational units can be used, additional registers may be added to improve efficiency in particular applications, and the control circuitry can vary. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the scope of the claims.