Simulation-based word-length optimization method for fixed-point digital signal processing systems

Word-length optimization and scaling software that utilizes the fixed-point simulation results using realistic input signal samples is developed for the application to general, including nonlinear and time-varying, signal processing systems. Word-length optimization is conducted to minimize the hardware implementation cost while satisfying a fixed-point performance measure. In order to minimize the computing time, signal grouping and efficient search methods are developed. The search algorithms first determine the minimum bound of the word-length for an individual group of signals and then try to find out the cost-optimal solution by using either exhaustive or heuristic methods.