Xilinx, Inc.
Efficient hardware implementation of the exponential function using hyperbolic functions

Abstract:

Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining a natural exponent from a digital word input by splitting the digital word, and retrieving a precalculated and predetermined value from a data store at an address defined by the first word. In an illustrative example, the retrieved value may be a hyperbolic sum. The hyperbolic sum may be multiplied by the second word. The hyperbolic sum may be scaled, and summed with the multiplication result to generate a scaled exponential value. The scaled exponential value may be scaled to produce an exponential value representing e.sup.X. In various examples, the digital word input may be in a fixed point or a floating point format, or converted therebetween. In various embodiments, the data store may be a lookup table. Various examples may provide a compact and versatile architecture for determining a natural exponent with minimized hardware resources.