R
Functional Description
Implement multipliers with inputs less than 18 bits by
sign-extending the inputs (i.e., replicating the most-signifi-
cant bit). Wider multiplication operations are performed by
combining the dedicated multipliers and slice-based logic in
any viable combination or by time-sharing a single multi-
plier. Perform unsigned multiplication by restricting the
inputs to the positive range. Tie the most-significant bit Low
and represent the unsigned value in the remaining 17
lesser-significant bits.
Dedicated Multipliers
For additional information, refer to the “Using Embedded
Multipliers” chapter in UG331.
The Spartan-3E devices provide 4 to 36 dedicated multiplier
blocks per device. The multipliers are located together with
the block RAM in one or two columns depending on device
density. See Arrangement of RAM Blocks on Die for
details on the location of these blocks and their connectivity.
Operation
Optional Pipeline Registers
The multiplier blocks primarily perform two’s complement
numerical multiplication but can also perform some less
obvious applications, such as simple data storage and bar-
rel shifting. Logic slices also implement efficient small multi-
pliers and thereby supplement the dedicated multipliers.
The Spartan-3E dedicated multiplier blocks have additional
features beyond those provided in Spartan-3 FPGAs.
As shown in Figure 36, each multiplier block has optional
registers on each of the multiplier inputs and the output. The
registers are named AREG, BREG, and PREG and can be
used in any combination. The clock input is common to all
the registers within a block, but each register has an inde-
pendent clock enable and synchronous reset controls mak-
ing them ideal for storing data samples and coefficients.
When used for pipelining, the registers boost the multiplier
clock rate, beneficial for higher performance applications.
Each multiplier performs the principle operation P = A × B,
where ‘A’ and ‘B’ are 18-bit words in two’s complement
form, and ‘P’ is the full-precision 36-bit product, also in two’s
complement form. The 18-bit inputs represent values rang-
Figure 36 illustrates the principle features of the multiplier
block.
ing from -131,072 to +131,071 with a resulting product
10
10
ranging from -17,179,738,112 to +17,179,869,184 .
10
10
AREG
(Optional)
CEA
CE
A[17:0]
D
Q
PREG
(Optional)
RST
CEP
CE
D
RSTA
Q
P[35:0]
X
BREG
(Optional)
RST
CEB
CE
RSTP
B[17:0]
D
Q
RST
RSTB
CLK
DS312-2_27_021205
Figure 36: Principle Ports and Functions of Dedicated Multiplier Blocks
Use the MULT18X18SIO primitive shown in Figure 37 to
to the MULT18X18SIO multiplier ports and set the individual
AREG, BREG, and PREG attributes to ‘1’ to insert the asso-
ciated register, or to 0 to remove it and make the signal path
combinatorial.
instantiate a multiplier within a design. Although high-level
logic synthesis software usually automatically infers a multi-
plier, adding the pipeline registers might require the
MULT18X18SIO primitive. Connect the appropriate signals
44
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DS312-2 (v3.8) August 26, 2009
Product Specification
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