Modular galois-field subfield-power integrated inverter-multiplier circuit for galois-field division over gf(256)

Abstract

A modular Galois-field subfield-power integrated inverter-multiplier circuit that may be used to perform Galois-field division over GF(245). The integrated inverter-multiplier circuit combines subfield-power and parallel multiplication and inversion operations performed therein. The circuit is modular, has a relatively low gate count, and is easily pipelined because it does not use random logic. The circuit implements mathematical calculations known as 'Galois-field arithmetic' that are required for a variety of digital signaling and processing applications such as Reed-Solomon and Bose-Chaudhuri-Hochquenghem (BCH) error-correction coding systems. Galois-field division is particularly difficult, typically requiring either a great deal of time or highly complex circuits, or both. The circuit uses a unique combination of subfield and power inversion techniques to carry out multiplicative inversion. Furthermore, the circuit uniquely implements Galois-field division by carrying out the multiplicative inversion and the multiplication simultaneously and in parallel. This substantially increases computation speed. The modularity and pipelineability of the present invention also make system design easier and increases the speed and reduces the gate count of an integrated circuit embodying the inverter-multiplier circuit.