Minimal non-integer alphabets allowing parallel addition

Abstract

Parallel addition, i.e., addition with limited carry propagation has been so far studied for complex bases and integer alphabets. We focus on alphabets consisting of integer combinations of powers of the base. We give necessary conditions on the alphabet allowing parallel addition. Under certain assumptions, we prove the same lower bound on the size of the generalized alphabet that is known for alphabets consisting of consecutive integers. We also extend the characterization of bases allowing parallel addition to numeration systems with non-integer alphabets.