A logarithmic arithmetic unit for signal processing

The logarithmic number system, or LNS, has the ability to support very high-speed arithmetic, over a wide dynamic range, in limited hardware. This system, with extensions, has several architectural and data enhancement attributes that makes it attractive to the DSP scientists and engineer. In this paper, the regularity of the LNS, its data compression capabilities, and speed-complexity potential are advocated in a DSP setting. It is shown that the LNS, and a floating point variation on this theme, offer distinct advantages over classical DSP architectures.