Candidates should have strong backgrounds in fluid mechanics and numerical analysis. Any questions can be directed to Loyce Adams at na.adams. I'm trying to put together the fastest software math package for Intel 8086 family computers that can be found. I looked around for one for a while, and didn't find anything. I would like some good references on some of these topics, and possibly some pointers to a potential consultant on these issues.
Speed is the primary goal.
I have currently implemented the basic 4 functions with 46 bits precision, and my implementation seems about 6 times faster than the typical IEEE emulations out there, which are 64 bits or 80 bits internally, but store out with 53 bits. Now it's time to do scientific functions, and possibly do some small accuracy tuning on the basic functions. Most algorithms for scientific functions are based on real arithmetic. It seems to me there should be algorithms out there that use the integer arithmetic and get better speed. I have heard it requires lots of multi-bit shifts, which the 8086 can't do on a 48 bit quantity.