Data processing apparatus and method for reducing the size of a lookup table

A method of configuring lookup table circuitry to receive from processing circuitry an n-bit input data value, and to return to the processing circuitry an output data value that would be obtained by performance of a predetermined operation on said input data value, the predetermined operation having a first property that the output data value is a function of the input data value, and a second property that a first output data value produced for a first input data value is derivable from a second output data value produced for a second input data value, the method comprising:

• providing a lookup table having a plurality of entries, each entry identifying a possible input data value and a corresponding output data value, said plurality of entries being less than 2n;
• generating, from the n-bit input data value, an intermediate input data value for provision to the lookup table, by:
• (i) detecting a modification condition if any of a predetermined number of significant bits of the input data value are logic zero values;
• (ii) if said modification condition is not detected, retaining the input data value as the intermediate input data value;
• and
• (iii) if said modification condition is detected, performing a shift operation on the input data value in order to generate said intermediate input data value;
• receiving from the lookup table an intermediate output data value corresponding to the generated intermediate input data value;
• generating, from the intermediate output data value, the output data value to be returned to the processing circuitry by:
• (a) if said modification condition is not detected in said step (i), retaining the intermediate output data value as said output data value;
• (b) if said modification condition is detected in said step (i), performing an output data value derivation operation on the intermediate output data value in order to generate said output data value, the output data value derivation operation at least taking account of the shift operation performed in said step (iii).

A data processing apparatus, comprising:

• processing means for performing operations on data;
• and
• lookup means for receiving from the processing means an n-bit input data value, and for returning to the processing means an output data value that would be obtained by performance of a predetermined operation on said input data value, the predetermined operation having a first property that the output data value is a function of the input data value, and a second property that a first output data value produced for a first input data value is derivable from a second output data value produced for a second input data value, the lookup means comprising:
• lookup table means for providing a plurality of entry means, each entry means for identifying a possible input data value and a corresponding output data value, said plurality of entry means being less than 2n;
• input interface means for receiving the n-bit input data value and for generating an intermediate input data value for provision to the lookup table means, the input interface means for detecting a modification condition if any of a predetermined number of significant bits of the input data value are logic zero values, the input interface means, if said modification condition is not detected, for retaining the input data value as the intermediate input data value, and, if said modification condition is detected, for performing a shift operation on the input data value in order to generate said intermediate input data value;
• output interface means for receiving from the lookup table means an intermediate output data value corresponding to the intermediate input data value generated by the input interface means, and for generating, from the intermediate output data value, the output data value to be returned to the processing means;
• the output interface means, if said modification condition is not detected by the input interface means, for retaining the intermediate output data value as said output data value, and, if said modification condition is detected by the input interface means, for performing an output data value derivation operation on the intermediate output data value in order to generate said output data value, the output data value derivation operation at least taking account of the shift operation performed by the input interface means.

Lookup table circuitry for use by processing circuitry performing operations on data, the lookup table circuitry being configured to receive from the processing circuitry an n-bit input data value, and to return to the processing circuitry an output data value that would be obtained by performance of a predetermined operation on said input data value, the predetermined operation having a first property that the output data value is a function of the input data value, and a second property that a first output data value produced for a first input data value is derivable from a second output data value produced for a second input data value, the lookup table circuitry comprising:

• a lookup table including a plurality of entries, each entry identifying a possible input data value and a corresponding output data value, said plurality of entries being less than 2n;
• input interface circuitry configured to receive the n-bit input data value and to generate an intermediate input data value for provision to the lookup table, the input interface circuitry being configured to detect a modification condition if any of a predetermined number of significant bits of the input data value are logic zero values, the input interface circuitry being configured, if said modification condition is not detected, to retain the input data value as the intermediate input data value, and being configured, if said modification condition is detected, to perform a shift operation on the input data value in order to generate said intermediate input data value;
• output interface circuitry configured to receive from the lookup table an intermediate output data value corresponding to the intermediate input data value generated by the input interface circuitry, and to generate, from the intermediate output data value, the output data value to be returned to the processing circuitry;
• the output interface circuitry being configured, if said modification condition is not detected by the input interface circuitry, to retain the intermediate output data value as said output data value, and being configured, if said modification condition is detected by the input interface circuitry, to perform an output data value derivation operation on the intermediate output data value in order to generate said output data value, the output data value derivation operation at least taking account of the shift operation performed by the input interface circuitry.