Computer and methods for solving math functions

• US 9,606,796 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2013
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Kyong Ho, Lee, Seok-Jun, Goel, Manish
• Primary Examiner(s): Roni, Syed
• Application Number:
  US14/067,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20150121043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/17 Function evaluation by approximation methods, e.g. inter- or extrapolation, smoothing, least mean square method G06F17/18 takes precedence ; interpolation for numerical control G05B19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/483 Computations with numbers represented by a non-linear combination of denominational numbers, e.g. rational numbers, logarithmic number system or floating-point numbers G06F7/4806, G06F7/4824, G06F7/49, G06F7/491, G06F7/544 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/544 for evaluating functions by calculation G06F7/4824 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3001 Arithmetic instructions

Abstract

Computers and methods for performing mathematical functions are disclosed. An embodiment of a computer includes an operations level and a driver level. The operations level performs mathematical operations. The driver level includes a first lookup table and a second lookup table, wherein the first lookup table includes first data for calculating at least one mathematical function using a first level of accuracy. The second lookup table includes second data for calculating the at least one mathematical function using a second level of accuracy, wherein the first level of accuracy is greater than the second level of accuracy. A driver executes either the first data or the second data depending on a selected level of accuracy.

Claims

1. A computer comprising:

an operations level that performs mathematical operations; and

a driver level comprising;

a first lookup table, wherein the first lookup table includes first data for calculating at least one mathematical function using a first level of accuracy; and

a second lookup table, wherein the second lookup table includes second data for calculating the at least one mathematical function using a second level of accuracy, wherein the first level of accuracy is greater than the second level of accuracy; and

a driver that executes the data from the first lookup table and the second lookup table, and wherein the driver sends instructions to the operations level;

wherein executing data in the second lookup table for solving the at least one function uses less energy than executing data in the first lookup table for solving the at least one function.

2. A computer for performing mathematical functions, the computer comprising:

an operations level;

a driver level; and

an instruction level;

the operations level performing basic math operations;

the driver level including;

a first lookup table, wherein the first lookup table includes first data for calculating at least one mathematical function using a first level of accuracy; and

a second lookup table, wherein the second lookup table includes second data for calculating the at least one mathematical function using a second level of accuracy, wherein the first level of accuracy is greater than the second level of accuracy; and

a driver that executes the data from the first lookup table and the second lookup table, and wherein the driver sends instructions to the operation level and receives instructions from the instruction level;

the instruction level including;

a memory that stores instructions for solving complex functions;

a controller that executes the instructions stored in the memory and transmits instructions to the driver;

wherein the controller receives instructions indicating whether high accuracy or low energy is to be used in solving the function and wherein the controller instructs the driver to access the first lookup table when the function is to be solved using high accuracy and wherein the controller instructs the driver to access the second lookup table when the function is to be solved using low energy.

3. A method for reducing energy consumption of a computer to solve math functions, the method comprising:

receiving a math function to be solved;

receiving information as to whether the math function is to be solved using high energy or low energy;

executing instructions for solving the math function using at least one derived math function;

executing the derived math functions using data stored in a first lookup table if the math function is to be solved using high energy; and

executing the derived math functions using data stored in a second lookup table if the math function is to be solved using low energy.