High accuracy approximate multiplier with error correction

Abstract

Approximate computing has gained significant attention due to the popularity of multimedia applications. In this paper, we propose a novel inaccurate 4:2 counter that can effectively reduce the partial product stages of the Wallace Multiplier. Compared to the normal Wallace multiplier, our proposed multiplier can reduce 10.74% of power consumption and 9.8% of delay on average, with an error rate from 0.2% to 13.76% The accuracy of amplitude is higher than 99% In addition, we further enhance the design with error-correction units to provide accurate results. The experimental results show that the extra power consumption of correct units is lower than 6% on average. Compared to the normal Wallace multiplier, the average latency of our proposed multiplier with EDC is 6% faster when the bit-width is 32, and the power consumption is still 10% lower than that of the Wallace multiplier.