Linear interpolation operator

Claim 1

A linear interpolation operator apparatus for determining a value of y, wherein y is a function of x, x is in a range between a known lower value x 1 and a known higher value x 2 , and known values y 1 and y 2 correspond respectively to x 1 and x 2 , comprising: first calculation means for determining (x m +x M )/2, wherein the initial value of a lower range limit x m =x 1 and the initial value of an upper range limit x M =x 2 ; said first calculation means comprising input registers, an adder and a divider by two; second calculation means for determining (y m +y M )/2, wherein the initial value of a lower range limit y m =y 1 and the initial value of an upper range limit y M =y 2 ; said second calculation means comprising input registers, an adder and a divider by two; input means for inputting x; comparing means for comparing x with (x m +x M )/2, said comparing means comprising a comparator including a first input terminal coupled to said divider by two of said first calculation means, a second input terminal coupled to said input means and an output; feedback means responsive to the output of said comparator for transmitting the output of said divider by two of each of said first and second calculation means to a respective input register to reset corresponding upper or lower range limits, said feedback means comprising controlling gates for transmitting said output of said divider by two as a function of the comparator output; and output means coupled to said divider by two of said second calculation means for providing the value y after a predetermined number of cycles.