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Abstract

An SRT division unit for performing a novel SRT division algorithm is presented. The novel SRT division algorithm comprises a method for performing SRT division using a radix r. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the radix r dictates the number of quotient-bits k generated during a single iteration. The relationship between radix r and the number of quotient-bits k generated in a single iteration is r=2.sup.k. The number of iterations needed to determine all quotient-digits is N, such that N=54/k for a 64 bit floating point value. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the SRT division unit generates a scaling factor M, which comprises scaling sub-factors M1 and M2 according to the relationship M=r*M1+M2. Next, the division unit generates a scaled divisor Y by multiplying a divisor DR by scaling factor M, such that said scaled divisor Y=DR*M=r(DR*M1)+DR*M2. In addition, the division unit generates partial remainder values w[00] and w[0] by muliplying a dividend DD by scaling sub-factor M1 and scaling factor M, respectively. Partial remainder value w[00]=DD*M1, and partial remainder value w[0]=DD*M=r(DD*M1)+DD*M2. Scaled divisor Y and partial remainders w[0] and w[00] then are used to generate quotient-digits and additional partial remainders. Accordingly, the division unit performs iterations j which generate quotient-digits according to the formula q[j]=SEL(r.sup.2 *w.sub.msb [j-2], q[j-1]). Also, the iterations generate additional partial remainders w[j] according to the formula w[j]=rw[j-1]-q[j-1]*Y. N iterations are performed, generating all quotient-digits for the division operation.

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First Claim