Napier's Bones for other algorithms?
- From: robin.bruce@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: 16 Jan 2006 06:59:36 -0800
Hi all,
We've been implementing a nice little algorithm to determine the square
root of numbers to single-precision. The algorithm is one that was
apparently taught to children in up to the '60s as a nice simple way to
calculate a square-root. It has the advantage of calculating the
square-root of a number exactly (each iteration providing another digit
of accuracy). It was a nice algorithm because when implemented in
hardware it takes 20 cycles to come up with a result and is
pipelinable. It can be clocked nice and fast so you can get really good
throughput.
I've managed to track the algorithm right back to the Rabdologiæ of
Napier (from 1617), and it is an algorithm proposed for use with
Napier's Bones.
What I'm wondering is, does anyone know of any other uses for Napier's
Bones for other algorithms? Like logs, exponentials or trig functions
or anything similar.
I should probably be clear that I don't mean a "slide rule" when I
write "Napier's Bones". This seems to be a common mix-up in a lot of
the material I'm finding on the net.
Regards,
Robin
.
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