A single chip low power asynchronous implementation of an FFT algorithm for space applications

Abstract

A fully asynchronous fixed point FFT processor is introduced for low power space applications. The architecture is based on an algorithm developed by Suter and Stevens specifically for a low power implementation. The novelty of this architecture lies in its high localization of components and pipelining with no need to share a global memory. High throughput is attained using large numbers of small, local components working in parallel. A derivation of the algorithm from the discrete Fourier transform is presented followed by a discussion of circuit design parameters specifically those relevant to space applications. A survey of this application specific architecture is included with a detailed look at the design of the complex-valued Booth multiplier to demonstrate the design methodology of this project. Finally, simulation results based on layout extractions are presented and an outline for future work is given.