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.