Title :
Fixed-point math in time-critical C applications
Author :
Kraeling, Mark B.
Author_Institution :
Cummins Engine Co., Columbus, IN, USA
Abstract :
When optimizing C to improve the speed of execution, using fixed-point math as opposed to floating-point emulation can help the user make big improvements. It is the single largest improvement a programmer can make in C to reduce execution time. The paper starts with floating-point equations, and shows the steps necessary to convert them to fixed-point equations. Basic equations are used at the beginning, but then progress to more advanced problems in the fixed-point implementation. The paper also analyzes the assembly output after converting to fixed-point, and data are presented from multiple platforms that show the speed improvement
Keywords :
C language; digital arithmetic; floating point arithmetic; mathematics computing; microprogramming; optimising compilers; C optimization; assembly output; execution time reduction; fixed-point equations; fixed-point math; floating-point equations; improved execution speed; programming; time-critical C applications; Costs; Emulation; Engines; Equations; Hardware; Microcontrollers; Microprocessors; Programming profession; Software libraries; Time factors;
Conference_Titel :
WESCON/96
Conference_Location :
Anaheim, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3274-1
DOI :
10.1109/WESCON.1996.554588