High performance division and root computation unit

A method of performing a root computation, the method comprising:

• selecting a column of a lookup table according to a Sweeney, Robertson, and Tocher (SRT) algorithm for the root computation, the selected column corresponding to a root estimate of the root computation;
• caching information related to the selected column in a high-speed memory;
• iteratively performing the root computation using the cached information, comprising:
• determining a root from the cached information using a current partial remainder in each iteration;
• and
• generating a next partial remainder based on the root, the root estimate, and the current partial remainder.

A processor comprising:

• a memory configured to store a lookup table according to a Sweeney, Robertson, and Tocher (SRT) algorithm for a division/root computation;
• a high-speed memory configured to cache information related to a selected column of the lookup table, the selected column corresponding to a divisor/root estimate;
• and
• a division/root computation unit configured to iteratively perform division/root computation using the cached information, comprising a division/root lookup logic configured to determine a quotient/root from the cached information based on a current partial remainder in each iteration, and generate a next partial remainder based on the quotient/root, the divisor/root estimate, and the current partial remainder.

A processing system comprising:

• means for storing a lookup table according to a Sweeney, Robertson, and Tocher (SRT) algorithm for a division/root computation;
• caching means for caching information related to a selected column of the lookup table, the selected column corresponding to a divisor/root estimate;
• and
• means for iteratively performing division/root computation using the cached information based on means for determining a quotient/root from the cached information using a current partial remainder in each iteration, and means for generating a next partial remainder using the quotient/root, the divisor/root estimate, and the current partial remainder.