Method and apparatus for providing a base-2 logarithm approximation to a binary number

An apparatus for approximating a base-2 logarithm of a binary number, said apparatus comprising:

• means for determining a position k within said binary number at which a “1” is first occurred;
• means for assigning all bits to the right of said position k within said binary number as a fractional portion of a base-2 logarithm approximation of said binary number;
• means for utilizing a subset of said fractional portion to generate an adjustment value βm for said fractional portion;
• means for converting k to a binary number representing an integer portion of said base-2 logarithm approximation of said binary number;
• and
• means for adding said integer portion to said fractional portion along with said adjustment value βm for said fractional portion to form said base-2 logarithm approximation of said binary number.

A computer program product residing on a computer usable medium for approximating a base-2 logarithm of a binary number, said computer program product comprising:

• program code means for determining a position k within said binary number at which a “1” is first occurred;
• program code means for assigning all bits to the right of said position k within said binary number as a fractional portion of a base-2 logarithm approximation of said binary number;
• program code means for utilizing a subset of said fractional portion to generate an adjustment value βm for said fractional portion;
• program code means for converting k to a binary number representing an integer portion of said base-2 logarithm approximation of said binary number;
• and
• program code means for adding said integer portion to said fractional portion along with said adjustment value βm for said fractional portion to form said base-2 logarithm approximation of said binary number.