Hybrid Multiplier-Adder Circuit for Precision and Power Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multiplier-adders face challenges in achieving a balance between power consumption and precision when implementing addition using digital or analog circuits.

Innovation Solution

A circuit design that combines digital and analog addition circuits, where digital accumulation is performed on higher-position bits for precision and analog accumulation on lower-position bits to reduce power consumption, with an optional analog-to-digital converter to combine results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If digital addition circuit is used to perform accumulation, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddition precisionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the accumulation operation into two distinct circuits: a digital addition circuit for high-position bits (requiring precision) and an analog addition circuit for low-position bits (requiring low power consumption). This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between precision and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different accumulation methods to different bit positions based on their specific requirements. High-position bits use digital accumulation for precision, while low-position bits use analog accumulation for energy efficiency. This localized optimization resolves the global contradiction by addressing the specific needs of different parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If analog addition circuit is used to perform accumulation, then use of energy is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidaddition precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the accumulation operation into two distinct circuits: a digital addition circuit for high-position bits (requiring precision) and an analog addition circuit for low-position bits (requiring low power consumption). This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between precision and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different accumulation methods to different bit positions based on their specific requirements. High-position bits use digital accumulation for precision, while low-position bits use analog accumulation for energy efficiency. This localized optimization resolves the global contradiction by addressing the specific needs of different parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4432074B1Circuit, multiplier and circuit optimization method
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4432074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4432074B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4432074B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A circuit, a multiplier-adder, and a circuit optimization method are provided, and relate to the field of electronic devices, to achieve a balance between power consumption and precision of the multiplier-adder. The circuit includes a digital addition circuit and an analog addition circuit. The digital addition circuit is configured to perform bitwise digital accumulation on bits that belong to a first bit position range and that are in a plurality of groups of partial products. The plurality of groups of partial products are obtained by multiplying a plurality of first values by a plurality of second values. The first bit position range refers to S bit positions of a product value of one of the first values and one of the second values. S is a positive integer. The product value is obtained by performing bitwise accumulation after a group of partial products are shifted. The analog addition circuit is configured to perform bitwise analog accumulation on analog parameters corresponding to values of bits that belong to a second bit position range and that are in the plurality of groups of partial products. The second bit position range refers to T bit positions that are of the product value and that do not overlap the first bit position range. T is a positive integer. S + T is less than or equal to a quantity of bit positions of the product value.