Project 42:Fast Fourier Transform

(FFT) Multiplier
A Comprehensive Study of Advanced Digital Circuits

By: Gati Goyal ,Abhishek Sharma, Nikunj Agrawal, Ayush Jain

Documentation Specialist: Dhruv Patel & Nandini Maheshwari

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Contents
1 Introduction 3

2 Background 3

3 Structure and Operation 4

3.1 Key Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.2 Operational Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4 Implementation in System Verilog 4

5 Test Bench 5

6 Advantages and Disadvantages 6

6.1 Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6.2 Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

7 Simulation Results 7

8 Schematic 8

9 Synthesis Design 9

10 Conclusion 10
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11 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 10
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11.1 What is an FFT Multiplier? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

11.2 How does the FFT Multiplier improve multiplication efficiency? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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11.3 What are the main components of an FFT Multiplier? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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11.4 In what applications is the FFT Multiplier commonly used? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

11.5 What are the trade-offs of using an FFT Multiplier? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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11.6 Can the FFT Multiplier handle small bit-widths efficiently? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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1 Introduction
The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Multiplier is a modern approach to multiplication, leveraging the
mathematical properties of the Fourier Transform for efficient and high-speed calculations. Unlike tra-
ditional multiplication techniques, which involve sequentially multiplying each digit, the FFT Multiplier
operates by transforming numbers into the frequency domain, allowing for faster, parallelized computa-
tions.
The FFT is a computational algorithm that efficiently computes the Discrete Fourier Transform
(DFT) and its inverse. By transforming the numbers to be multiplied into their frequency-domain
representations, pointwise multiplication of these frequency components can be performed. The result
is then transformed back to the time domain using the Inverse FFT, yielding the final product. This
process reduces the complexity of the multiplication operation from O(n2 ) to O(n log n), making it highly
suitable for large numbers.
In digital circuit design, the FFT Multiplier offers significant advantages for applications requiring
fast, large-scale multiplications. The inherent parallelism in the FFT algorithm is particularly beneficial
in high-performance digital systems, such as those used in cryptography, signal processing, and high-
speed data communication. Implementing the FFT Multiplier in hardware accelerators like FPGAs and
ASICs can further enhance its efficiency by leveraging parallel processing capabilities, reducing latency,
and optimizing resource usage.
Despite its advantages, the FFT Multiplier can require additional resources, such as memory and
complex circuitry, for managing the transformations between domains. However, its ability to signifi-
cantly speed up large integer multiplications makes it a valuable asset in applications where performance
is paramount, particularly in modern digital arithmetic systems that prioritize high-speed and high-
accuracy computations. a
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2 Background
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The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Multiplier is an advanced multiplication technique that leverages the
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mathematical properties of the Fourier Transform for high-speed multiplication, particularly beneficial
for large operands. In contrast to traditional methods that multiply each bit sequentially, the FFT
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Multiplier transforms operands into the frequency domain, allowing for parallelized multiplication, which
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accelerates the computation process.

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The FFT is a highly efficient algorithm for computing the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and its
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inverse. By transforming binary numbers into the frequency domain, pointwise multiplication of these
frequency components can be performed, significantly reducing the time complexity of the multiplication
operation. The result is then transformed back to the time domain using the Inverse FFT, yielding the
final product. This method effectively reduces the complexity of the multiplication operation from O(n2 )
to O(n log n), making it highly efficient for handling large binary numbers.
In digital circuit design, the FFT Multiplier’s ability to handle large-scale multiplication with reduced
complexity offers significant advantages. This approach is particularly advantageous in applications that
require high-speed and high-accuracy multiplication, such as cryptography, digital signal processing, and
high-performance computing. The FFT Multiplier can be implemented in hardware using platforms
like Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) to
leverage the inherent parallelism of the FFT, further enhancing computational speed and efficiency.
However, the FFT Multiplier requires additional resources, such as memory for storing the frequency
components and circuitry to handle the transformations. While the multiplier achieves substantial speed
gains, these resource requirements can increase design complexity, especially in cases involving varying
operand sizes or dynamic bit widths.
In conclusion, the FFT Multiplier represents a powerful solution for efficient binary multiplication,
especially for large-scale computations. By transforming numbers into the frequency domain, it minimizes
computational overhead and accelerates processing, making it an ideal choice in applications demanding
fast and efficient arithmetic operations.
 3 Structure and Operation
The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Multiplier leverages the principles of the Fourier Transform to per-
form efficient multiplication, particularly for large operands. Its structure and operation involve several
essential stages that transform inputs into the frequency domain, perform multiplication, and convert
the results back to the time domain.

3.1 Key Components

• Input Ports: The FFT Multiplier receives two primary inputs, A and B, which are the binary
numbers to be multiplied. Each input is represented as a sequence of bits and may require prepro-
cessing to format them appropriately for transformation.
• FFT Blocks: The core of the FFT Multiplier consists of FFT blocks that transform the time-
domain inputs into the frequency domain. Each operand is processed through an FFT block,
generating a complex frequency representation.
• Pointwise Multiplier: In the frequency domain, a pointwise multiplication of the transformed
representations of A and B is performed, enabling efficient handling of large numbers with reduced
complexity.
• Inverse FFT (IFFT) Block: The resulting frequency-domain product undergoes an Inverse FFT
to return to the time domain. This step transforms the result back into a binary format.
• Output Port: The final output, P , represents the product of the multiplication and is a binary
number with a bit-width that can accommodate the multiplied result.
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3.2 Operational Steps

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The operation of the FFT Multiplier can be summarized as follows:

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1. Input Initialization: The two multiplicands A and B are provided as binary inputs and are padded
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or adjusted as needed for the FFT process.

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2. Transformation to Frequency Domain: Each input is transformed into the frequency domain using
FFT blocks, producing complex-valued frequency components.
3. Pointwise Multiplication: In the frequency domain, corresponding frequency components of A and
B are multiplied pointwise, creating a product in the frequency domain.
4. Inverse Transformation: The frequency-domain product undergoes an Inverse FFT to convert the
result back into the time domain, yielding the binary representation of the product.
5. Output Generation: The resulting product P is output as a binary number, representing the final
multiplication result.
This structured approach allows the FFT Multiplier to efficiently handle large operands by reducing
the computational complexity, making it suitable for high-performance applications where rapid and
resource-efficient multiplication is critical.

4 Implementation in System Verilog

The following RTL code implements the Fast Fourier Transform Multiplier in System Verilog:

Listing 1: Fast Fourier Transform Multipler

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2 module fft_multiplier (
3 input logic clk ,
4 input logic rst_n ,
5 input logic [3:0] A_real [0:3] , / / Real parts of A
 6 input logic [3:0] A_imag [0:3] , // Imaginary parts of A
7 input logic [3:0] B_real [0:3] , // Real parts of B
8 input logic [3:0] B_imag [0:3] , // Imaginary parts of B
9 output logic [7:0] C_real [0:3] , // Real parts of C
10 output logic [7:0] C_imag [0:3] // Imaginary parts of C
11 );
12 / / Internal signals for FFT processing
13 logic [7:0] temp_real [0:3];
14 logic [7:0] temp_imag [0:3];
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16 always_ff @ ( posedge clk or negedge rst_n ) begin

17 if (! rst_n ) begin
18 / / Reset outputs
19 C_real [0] <= 0;
20 C_imag [0] <= 0;
21 C_real [1] <= 0;
22 C_imag [1] <= 0;
23 C_real [2] <= 0;
24 C_imag [2] <= 0;
25 C_real [3] <= 0;
26 C_imag [3] <= 0;
27 end else begin
28 / / Compute the FFT multiplier
29 for ( int i = 0; i < 4; i ++) begin
30 temp_real [ i ] = A_real [ i ] * B_real [ i ] - A_imag [ i ] *
B_imag [ i ];
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temp_imag [ i ] = A_real [ i ] * B_imag [ i ] + A_imag [ i ] *

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B_real [ i ];
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/ / Store results
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C_real [ i ] <= temp_real [ i ];

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35 C_imag [ i ] <= temp_imag [ i ];

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36 end
37 end
38 end
39 endmodule

5 Test Bench
The following test bench verifies the functionality of the Fast Fourier Transform Multiplier :

Listing 2: Fast Fourier Transform Multipler Testbench

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2 module tb_ fft_mu ltipli er ;

3 logic clk ;
4 logic rst_n ;
5 logic [3:0] A_real [0:3];
6 logic [3:0] A_imag [0:3];
7 logic [3:0] B_real [0:3];
8 logic [3:0] B_imag [0:3];
9 logic [7:0] C_real [0:3];
10 logic [7:0] C_imag [0:3];
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12 fft_multiplier uut (
13 . clk ( clk ) ,
14 . rst_n ( rst_n ) ,
15 . A_real ( A_real ) ,
16 . A_imag ( A_imag ) ,
17 . B_real ( B_real ) ,
18 . B_imag ( B_imag ) ,
19 . C_real ( C_real ) ,
20 . C_imag ( C_imag )
21 );
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23 initial begin
24 clk = 0;
25 rst_n = 0;
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27 / / Release reset
28 #5 rst_n = 1;
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30 / / Test inputs
31 A_real [0] = 4; A_imag [0] = 2;
32 A_real [1] = 1; A_imag [1] = 3;
33 A_real [2] = 2; A_imag [2] = 1;
34 A_real [3] = 0; A_imag [3] = 0;
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36 B_real [0] = 1; B_imag [0] = 1;

37 B_real [1] = 0; B_imag [1] = 2;
38 B_real [2] = 3; B_imag [2] = 1;
B_real [3] = 2; B_imag [3] = 0;
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41 / / Clock generation
42 forever #5 clk = ~ clk ;
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43 end
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45 initial begin
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46 / / Wait for some time and display results

47 #50;
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$display ( " C_real = {%0 d , %0 d , %0 d , %0 d } " , C_real [0] ,

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C_real [1] , C_real [2] , C_real [3]) ;

$display ( " C_imag = {%0 d , %0 d , %0 d , %0 d } " , C_imag [0] ,
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C_imag [1] , C_imag [2] , C_imag [3]) ;

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51 / / End simulation
52 $finish ;
53 end
54 endmodule

6 Advantages and Disadvantages

6.1 Advantages
• High-Speed Computation: Look-Up Table (LUT) Multipliers allow for fast multiplication by
pre-computing results and storing them in memory, eliminating the need for real-time calculation.
• Low Latency: The use of LUTs enables near-instantaneous access to pre-stored multiplication
results, reducing latency and making them suitable for applications requiring rapid processing.
• Simplified Hardware Design: Since multiplication results are precomputed, LUT Multipliers
require fewer arithmetic units, simplifying the hardware design and lowering the overall complexity.
• Flexibility for Fixed-Point Applications: LUT Multipliers are particularly advantageous in
applications with fixed-point arithmetic where a limited range of values is multiplied repeatedly,
as these values can be easily precomputed and stored.
6.2 Disadvantages
• Increased Memory Usage: LUT Multipliers require significant memory resources to store all
possible multiplication results, which can be a limitation for large bit-width operands.
• Scalability Issues: As the size of the operands increases, the memory requirements grow expo-
nentially, making LUT-based approaches less practical for high-bit-width applications.
• Limited Accuracy in Floating-Point Applications: LUTs are typically more efficient for
fixed-point arithmetic, while floating-point applications may require higher precision, making LUTs
less ideal in these cases.
• Complexity in Memory Management: Managing and updating LUTs for various operations
can add complexity to the system design, particularly if the multiplier values change dynamically.

7 Simulation Results

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Figure 1: Simulation results of Fast Fourier Transform Multipliers

8 Schematic

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Figure 2: Schematic of Fast Fourier Transform Multipliers

9 Synthesis Design

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Figure 3: Synthesis of Fast Fourier Transform Multipliers

10 Conclusion
The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Multiplier is a powerful tool in digital arithmetic, leveraging the
efficiency of frequency-domain multiplication to handle large operands with reduced time complexity.
By transforming multiplicands into the frequency domain, the FFT Multiplier enables pointwise mul-
tiplication, effectively reducing the computational overhead associated with traditional multiplication
methods. This structure makes the FFT Multiplier highly suitable for applications where high-speed,
large-scale computations are required.
The advantages of the FFT Multiplier include its high-speed computation for large bit-widths, effi-
cient resource utilization, and suitability for high-performance applications such as cryptography, signal
processing, and scientific computing. However, challenges such as increased circuit complexity, memory
requirements for intermediate frequency components, and precision management in fixed-point imple-
mentations must be considered in the design.
In conclusion, the FFT Multiplier is an efficient solution for large binary multiplications, particularly
in scenarios where speed and computational efficiency are critical. Its unique approach and ability to
handle large-scale arithmetic operations make it a valuable addition to modern digital systems where
rapid and resource-efficient calculations are needed.

11 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

11.1 What is an FFT Multiplier?
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An FFT Multiplier is a digital circuit that performs multiplication by transforming operands into the
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frequency domain, performing pointwise multiplication, and converting the result back to the time domain
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using an Inverse FFT.

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11.2 How does the FFT Multiplier improve multiplication effi-

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ciency?
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The FFT Multiplier improves efficiency by reducing the time complexity of multiplication for large
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operands, from O(n2 ) in traditional methods to O(n log n), which enables faster computation of large
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binary numbers.
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11.3 What are the main components of an FFT Multiplier?

The main components of an FFT Multiplier include input ports for the multiplicands, FFT blocks
for frequency-domain transformation, a pointwise multiplier for frequency components, an Inverse FFT
(IFFT) block to revert to the time domain, and output ports for the final product.

11.4 In what applications is the FFT Multiplier commonly used?

The FFT Multiplier is commonly used in applications that require high-speed, large-scale multiplication,
such as cryptography, digital signal processing, and scientific computations, where large numbers are
frequently multiplied.

11.5 What are the trade-offs of using an FFT Multiplier?

While the FFT Multiplier provides significant speed benefits, it also adds complexity in circuit design,
requires memory to store intermediate frequency components, and may have precision limitations in
fixed-point implementations.
11.6 Can the FFT Multiplier handle small bit-widths efficiently?
The FFT Multiplier is optimized for large bit-widths; however, for smaller bit-widths, the transformation
overhead may outweigh its advantages, making it less practical for applications that require frequent
small-scale multiplications.

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