[U-Boot] [PATCH 1/8] u8500: Correct unnecessary mathematical roll-over

[Wolfgang Denk]

Dear Lee Jones,

In message <20121121100228.GJ28265 at gmail.com> you wrote:
>
> > > -#define COUNT_TO_USEC(x)	((x) * 16 / 133)
> > > +#define COUNT_TO_USEC(x)	((x) / 133 * 16)
> > 
> > Before the change, the result is useful for all values of x in the
> > interval from 0 through UINT_MAX/16 = 268435455 = 268 seconds, i. e.
> > for all values that make sense to be measured in microseconds.
> 
> We're actually discussing this elsewhere. I don't have
> permission to paste the other side of the conversation, but
> I can show you my calculations:
> 
> > The original implementation is fine until we reach 32.28 seconds, which
> > as you predicted is 0x1000_0000:
> 
> > 0x10000000 * PRESCALER) / (CLOCK_SPEED_133_MHZ)
> > (268435456 * 16       ) / (133  * 1000  * 1000) == 32.28 seconds
> 
> > If we spend >30 seconds at the u-boot commandline, which is not
> > unreasonable by any stretch, then the kernel assumes responsibility for
> > the remaining of the time spent at the prompt, which is obviously not
> > acceptable for this usecase.

This makes no sense to me.  An overflow will not happen before
UINT_MAX/16 = 268435455 = 268 seconds.

Anyway.  If you have overflof problems, then use proper arithmetics.

> > If you need a bigger number range, then use proper arithmetics. It';s
> > available, just use it.
> 
> Would you be able to lend a hand here, as I'm no mathematician?
> 
> What are the correct arithmetics?

There are routines like do_div() or lldiv() etc. that can be used when
32 bit arithmetics is really not good enough.

However, I fail to see why that should even be needed here.

Best regards,

Wolfgang Denk

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