Floating and fixed point math capabilities

[basil4j 1]

Hi All,

 

I'm new to the MSP430 and am looking at using some for a device I am developing. I will be using a handful of MSP430's on modular boards to perform various functions.

 

Some of the modular boards will be required to perform floating/fixed point multiplication and division.

I am trying to determine if I could get away with using an MSP device without hardware multiply to achieve these goals to keep the cost down.

 

Here are rough details of 2 of these boards (All FP and int are 16bits)

The calculations are in no particular order.

 

*Board 1, at 40 Hz, i.e. every 25ms

Receive 2x16bits from SPI sensor

Output 3x16bits serial onto external BUS (format to be defined)

Perform 2x FP/INT divide

Perform 1x FP/INT Multiply

Perform 2x FP/INT subtract

Perform 2x FP/FP divide

Perform 2x FP/FP Multiply

Perform about 6-8 FP =,> or < comparisons

 

*Board 2, at 400Hz, i.e. every 2.5ms

Receive 16 bits from SPI sensor

Output 2x16bits serial onto external BUS (format to be defined)

Perform 2x FP/INT divide

Perform 1x FP/INT Multiply

Perform 2x FP/INT subtract

Perform 2x FP/FP divide

Perform 4x FP/FP subtract

Perform about 8-10 FP =,> or

 

I think that's it. Do you think an MSP device at 16Mhz could handle this without hardware multiply?

[nobody 47]

Small mathematics:

You have 16 million clock cycles per second.

And you have 25 ms time window.

One machine instruction takes 1 to 6 clock cycles (eg, on average pessimistic 4 cycles?)

 

In our time window processor executes (16e6 * 25e-3 / 4) = 100,000 machine instructions.

And your second example - 10,000 machine instructions in time window.

 

Your simple math is piece of cake for this brute force ...

 

Your problem is memory. FP math library consumes lot of flash space. IMHO 4kB flash is minimum, 8kB is better.

 

Install IAR workbench, write a simple test version of its mathematics and run in the simulator. Then change target versions (in simulator) and select processor that is best for your application.

[basil4j 1]

Thanks for the super quick reply!

 

That's what I thought, I am completly un familiar with this MCU so wasn't sure on how many cycles instructions take etc

 

Ill be using 8kb or 16kb devices if pos, so it looks as though ill be stuck with the CCS compiler. I assume the libraries are the same?

[fatihinanc 14]

basil4j,

 

You can choose a model contains Hardware Multiplier(MPY32 Module). 2x or 5x series can be choosen.

I think MSP-EXP430FR5739 kit is best solution.

MSP430FR5739 includes MPY32 module.

 

Best.

[nobody 47]

Ill be using 8kb or 16kb devices if pos, so it looks as though ill be stuck with the CCS compiler. I assume the libraries are the same?

 

CCS don't have simulator (IMHO?). It's better first testing software and then buy adequate hardware. You don't need write full application, only time - critical part and exactly (in simulator) measure time and memory consumption. And then select adequate processor and buy it.

 

Libraries are not the same (calling conventions and source code in C is almost the same, but implementation in libraries is manufacturer-dependent). I don't know whether it is better this or that...

 

I personally hate Eclipse-based systems, then use IAR.

[basil4j 1]

Hi I'm trying to keep the pin count and cost down, and an looking at 16-24 pin devices. Are there any with 32x32 math in these small sizes? I may have missed them!

[nobody 47]

Look at MSP430FR57XX series (expensive, but very good), or my favorite MSP430AFE (only 16x16 MPY)...

[basil4j 1]

Hi All,

 

Another semi related question

 

Each MSP will also need to output a constant 32kHz square wave for some sensors and also keep a few timers running to sync the communication windows for the bus output (I'm implementing a round robin type comms bus between devices) and various other things. These other timers only need 0.05ms accuracy or so, I've yet to sort out the details of these, may be stricter requirements, may be looser.

 

The device I'm looking at has 1 timer which I'm thinking would be best used for the constant 32kHZ output. Is it easy enough to code in software a couple of timers to take care of the comm window timing and a few other things? I've never used interrupts as I'm coming from the propeller MCU which doesn't have any, sorry if there is a simple solution to this!