Work

AxRMU-2^m: Higher m-bit Approximate Radix-2^m Multiplier Unit

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This paper presents the design and evaluation of higher m-bit Approximate Radix-2^m Multiplier Units (AxRMU) with applications in error-tolerant systems. The AxRMU proposal architectures, specifically AxRMU-8 and AxRMU-16, incorporate approximation in generating partial products, reducing the number of logic gates and improving energy efficiency while maintaining acceptable accuracy. A case study using the statistically efficient and fast calibration (StEFCal) algorithm in radio astronomy demonstrates the performance of the AxRMUs in terms of energy, area savings, and computational accuracy. Results show that AxRMU designs outperform state-of-the-art approximate multipliers like DRUM, LoBA, and RoBA, achieving energy savings of up to 98.30% and area savings of up to 91.57%, with minimal mean square error (MSE) trade-offs. These findings highlight the potential of AxRMUs in balancing performance and resource efficiency for applications that can tolerate minor computational inaccuracies.

Source: Journal of Integrated Circuits and Systems

DOI: 10.29292/jics.v19i3.929

Authors: Morgana Macedo Azevedo da Rosa, Rodrigo Lopes, Eduardo Da Costa, Rafael Soares

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Universidade Católica de Pelotas

Language: English

Topic: Low-power high-performance VLSI design

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Awards: G2554800379, G29316538