Apparatus for fast determination of a prescribable number of highest value signals

Abstract

An apparatus for a fast determination of a prescribable number of highest value input signals from a number of input signals each comprising an input word having a number of recoders, each one of the recoders having an input for receiving one of the input signals. The recoders recode the input words into expanded input words having significant bits dependent on a value of the input words and have an output for outputting the expanded input words. A sorting logic has a first input for receiving a control signal identifying the prescribable number and a second input for receiving the expanded input words. The sorting logic forms and outputs a prescribable number of output words of highest value input signals from the expanded input words. The advantage lies in the high processing speed, particularly given large numbers of inputs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.