Algorithm and architecture: for non-linear noise filtering via piecewise linear compression

Abstract

We present a novel non-linear filtering technique for random noise, based on the principle that random noise is hard to compress. In contrast to spectral filters, the proposed technique does not require a priori knowledge of the noise and signal characteristics. We demonstrate the technique by filtering additive random noise using a compression algorithm based on piecewise linear approximation. A single chip design of the filtering algorithm is also presented. It includes two multiplier-accumulator units, an adder, registers, and a short look-up table. The proposed implementation allows an output sample to be generated every four cycles on average.<>