Number Scaling

Hi,

What is the most efficient way to scale numbers into the range of -1, 1 in Verilog using Cyclone II? That is the fastest code with least resources? are there any free IP cores from Altera or others which do so?

I am currently doing it using the NIOS II processor (scaling and casting into fixed point), Is there any hardware solution?

I have downloaded an IP core from IP genious which casts from FP to int, this will do the trick to convert to fixed point and shifting, all that remains now is the scaling??

thanks